RUNNING: Save the Rhino Trail Run

InTRAIL:

Words, Photos & Video: Bruce Viaene

Introducing the Nedbank

Save the

Rhino

Trail Run Trail running is about getting outside and exploring the world that we live in.

For some, it means running through their local park. For others, it’s about traversing treacherous mountain ridges.

At the base of it all, trail running is about exploring.

A Game Ranger shows the Tri Sport team the spoor of a Brown Hyena on a single track section of Day One.

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It is not all open savannahs – Day One of the Nedbank Save The Rhino Trail Run offers technical rock sections at the top the escarpment.

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White Rhino

Nedbank and TriSport have teamed up to bring you an exceptionally unique race that will throw runners into a trail paradise. The Nedbank Save the Rhino Trail Run consists of all the elements that will make this race one to remember. Sonja Otto explains, “The different

thing that this race presents is that runners will run through a game reserve and see animals like impala, giraffe, lion, wildebeest, elephants and, of course, rhino.” As you run, you leave behind a footprint amongst the animal prints that have gone before you – there is something special, even magical, about sharing a route with Africa’s wildest!

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The race will be held on 20 and 21 July 2013, at the Legend Entabeni Safari Lodge, in Limpopo. Home to the magnificent Big 5, Entabeni is aptly named the ‘place of the mountain’ in the local language. Covering more than 22,000 hectares of bushveld, ravines, savannah, sandy wetlands, wooded hills, and mountainous ridges, there are few, if any, races in South Africa that bring such diversity to trail runners.

With more than 432 rhinos poached already this year, we have to move from talking to action. That is why Sonja and Hano Otto, from TriSport, have created this trail run to fund and bring awareness to this tragedy that we allow to happen on our doorstep. One hundred percent of the entry fees from this race will go towards WWF, in aid of rhino conservation. This could not happen without the help of Nedbank, a driving force in the conservation of rhinos.

The race is over two days. Day one will see runners completing a 27 km course that will start, and finish, at the Wild Side Safari Lodge. Runners will head up to the upper escarpment and into the Waterberg Mountains, with majestic views of the valleys and kloofs below.

Water points along the route are provided. You might be tempted to hang around a bit longer as you soak up the views. Day two is a vastly different 23 km experience, which will bring the runners onto the lower escarpment, with predominately single track that has been carved out by the local elephant herd. The thick bush brings cover to the many different antelope, so don’t be too surprised if one greets you along the trail! Game vehicles will transport supporters to the viewpoints and water tables, so they can cheer you on and share the experience with you.

This is going to be something special.

From being out in the open and running with a variety of wild animals around you, to the reason why this race is being held: To Help Save the Rhino. •

Race details Dates: 20 – 21 July 2013 Distances: 2 Day trail run – 27 km and 23 km | 10 km Baby Rhino Run Race info and online entries: www.trisport.co.za

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The Lookout – Runners will have a chance to enjoy the view at this water point.

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Dappled jeep tracks lead into open Wildebeest strewn savannahs.

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