Ultra-marathon to be run to save rhinos
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve will host its first-ever 45km ultra-marathon event within the reserve in support of wildlife conservation.
The marathon is called The Timbavati Traverse with plans of it becoming an annual event. It is scheduled to take place on 17 July with only 20 participants.
The unique and prestigious opportunity will be run in the name of conservation with all proceeds going to the protection and security of wildlife with a focus on rhinos.
“You can help us to conserve these incredible animals by donating whatever you can – every single donation, no matter the size, counts! “100% of the donations will go towards supporting rhino conservation,” said Hayley Cooper from Timbavati.
She said with the ongoing and ever-increasing threat to wildlife, they are constantly having to up their game to counter the relentless pressure of illegal poaching.
“The illegal trade in rhino horn and ivory has reached record statistics internationally and rhino horn currently reaches a higher price than gold.
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“With the collective efforts and dedication of many, from K9 units, rangers on foot, anti-poaching and aerial teams and concerned citizens like you, we can make a difference to protecting our rhinos.”
Last year, following the cancellation of the Comrades Marathon due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Grant Murphy, head guide and employee at Kings Camp in the Timbavati ran 92km to raise funds for conservation.
Murphy is a passionate runner and he used this chance to raise much-needed funds to support the Timbavati canine anti-poaching unit and Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre.
From Grant’s previous successes, Timbavati decided that this experience should be shared with other passionate runners and conservationists and opened the race to a limited number of 20 runners to raise money for the rhino antipoaching teams.
This year’s run will cover 45km of Timbavati wilderness through pristine Big 5 country.
The 20 runners will group together in a “bus” for safety,” said Cooper.
She emphasised that the event is not a race but rather a run where all runners get to experience an intimate connection with nature and run for a cause.
“The group will run together to ensure the safety of each runner. Safety is our priority. Support vehicles and bicycles will accompany runners during the run and competent medical personnel will be on call and present at all times,” she said.
The entry fee to the marathon is R6500 per entry.
The public can make donations to raise additional funds for this worthy cause by using this link https://www.givengain.com/ap/grantandremember/
