George Herald | Trail run to save rhinos

Translate to:


News	Classifieds	Directory

Trail run to save rhinos
11:00 (GMT+2), Thu, 09 August 2012

SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - The end of July saw the successful inaugural Botlierskop Trail Run which will in future be called the Save the Rhino Trail Run event.

In 2011 the organizers, Hano and Sonja Otto, managed to put together the most stunning trails in the Botlierskop Game Reserve when more than 100 participants competed.

This year, on August 11 and 12 the race will be a two day stage event of a 25km on the first day and a 20km distance on the second day. Entries will be limited to only 200 runners for the event.

There will also be a shorter event called Baby Rhino of 10km on the Sunday for those who just want to have the experience of running or walking amongst four of the Big Five.

Part of the entry fees will go towards a Save the Rhino fund.

A rhino was killed at Botlierskop by poachers last year. Sonja Terblanche-Otto said that through this race and the name of the race they hope to make people more aware of the cruelty against rhinos. "We hope this will be supported by all of our local running clubs and that this event will become a big event on the trail running calendar in the future, to raise some funds from the entry fees and from local businesses to save our rhinos in the Southern Cape."

Just this last week another rhino was found dead in the Hartenbos area, bringing the number of rhinos killed in the Southern Cape to three in less than two years.

According to Landie Visser, one of South Africa's top trail runners and the female winner of the 20km race in 2011, in terms of terrain, route, scenery and challenge, the organisers definitely got this one right. The race offered runners a real bushveld and fynbos experience wit lots of animals to see along the route, combined with lots of fun.

After the race competitors will receive some great spot prizes offered by Botlierskop and some of the other local businesses.
Entries for both races are still open until August 8 via the online entry form on the website www.trisport.co.za. After this date there will be no more online entries. There will be no 'on the day' entries for the Two Day Trail Run. Registration for this run will be on Friday, August 10 at Botlierskop Game Reserve from 16:00 to 20:00. There will be late or day entries at an extra cost for the 10km Baby Rhino Run on Sunday, August 12 from 18:30 until 19:45.

Entry Fees for both races will include the Botlierskop reserve fees (normally R100 per day), but non-competitors who will not be using the reserve are welcome to watch and eat something at the Botlierskop Restaurant where no reserve fees are applicable.

More information and entry details are on www.trisport.co.za or contact Sonja Otto on 082 579 7595.