Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 40

Race Report Rhino Runners Nedbank Save the Rhino Trail Run, Entabeni Big Five Game Reserve, Limpopo, 20-21 July particular impressing with his Muhammad Ali-like ‘?oating like a butter?y’ up the steep Legend Gorge and over the loose rocks and thick sand to ensure his victory. Dreyer Van Huyssteen ?nished second and Mazu Ndandani third after two days of racing. Second amongst the women was Anita O’Brien, with Takalani outh Africa is synonymous with the Big Five Ndandani third. There were game rangers strategically placed to keep the runners and wildlife from ‘running into each other,’ but according to Hano, some animals went the extra mile to spice things up. “Before the race it seemed as if the lions had a competition among themselves to destroy the most route markers, and at the race brie?ng I showed the runners signs with big teeth marks in them! Then on day two a rhino apparently took exception to a sign that was in his way and pushed it down, while a herd of six elephants was grazing on one of the game paths on the route. Fortunately game warden Philip Botha calmly walked into the bush and vocally encouraged the elephants to follow him away from the path, so they were happily Lucky Miya and Carla van Huyssteen were the inaugural winners of the race, with Lucky in grazing a few hundred metres further on when the runners came through just ?ve minutes later!” Lekker in Limpo po! S animals, but in the foreseeable future we might only be able to boast a ‘Big Four’ as the number of rhinos being poached increases monthly. With the black market price of rhino horn now reportedly in the region of $65,000 per kg – more than the price of gold! – there is no sign of the onslaught letting up. Fortunately, many people are not prepared to give up the ?ght to save the rhino, including Sonja and Hano Otto from TriSport, who got Nedbank on board to sponsor a two-day trail running event in July (and a two-day mountain bike event in October). Because these events are sponsored by Nedbank, all entry fees will be donated directly to Nedbank’s WWF Green Trust Fund in aid of rhino conservation. Images: Bruce Viaene Does your event face these problems? Organisation is time consuming? Managing too many suppliers? Outdated marketing techniques? Phone ringing off the hook? Over?owing email inbox? EVENTS FROM START TO FINISH WE CAN HELP! Our team is built around people who know what it takes to organise and market events. Some of our services Online entry and data management. Race number printing, packing and distribution. Manning your race of?ce, race phone and enquiry e-mails. Marketing of your event via different media to extensive databases. Electronic timing with same-day results - GUARANTEED! 75 Use some or all of our services to make your event slicker and more pro?table! For more info contact us today : Craig : 082 551 1487 E-mail : [email protected] Timed by: NO PRIZE. NO RESULT. Recent Events: Breakthru Midrand 15km Old Eds Half Marathon (5,10 & 16 split times) Varsity Kudus 10km & 21km Dawn to Dusk 12 Hour Circuit Race Upcoming Events: Gauteng Marathon - 8 September Mamusa Challenge - 14 September Dis-Chem Sun City Swim 26 October 2013 1 48 Old Eds HFPA Ro ad 21km Race ce PA Road Ra Old Eds HF NO CHIP. 10km Entries at www.championchip.co.za 21km www.peaktiming.co.za 40 ISSUE 50 SEPTEMBER 2013 / www.modernathlete.co.za ‘ ‘