Run to save a rhino

STAFF REPORTERThe third annual Brandberg Rhino Run and Ride will take place in Uis on Sunday, 11 June.The event, organised by Nico and Riana Scholtz under their family brand 'Touch and Go', will raise funds for the Namibian non-profit organisation, Save the Rhino Trust.Activities on the Sunday will include a 26km trail run, 13km trail run, a 7km fun run and walk, and a 31km mountain-bike ride.The mountain-bike event will start at 06:00, shortly followed by the running events. The start and finish will be at the Daureb Isib Campsite at Uis.The prize-giving will take place at 10:00 and will be preceded by a short run for children under the age of ten.As a prequel to the running and cycling events on Sunday, the Brandberg FKT Challenge will take place on Friday, 9 June. Athletes will try to improve the fastest known time (FKT) up and down Brandberg Mountain of eight hours and six minutes set by American Fred Zalokar in 2015. A select group of ten very fit and able athletes will take part in this event.Tobie Verwey, the Namibian trail athlete who finished in tenth place at the recent Four Deserts Sahara multi-stage ultra-marathon, will be among the hopefuls for the N$10 000 reward for a new FKT.One of the organisers of the marathon, Nico Scholtz, said all events will take place on trails and tracks within the Tsiseb conservancy with the Brandberg, a National Heritage site, as focal point.“The courses are unfenced, unspoilt and sensitive to human impact. The organisers enforce a strict policy racing ‘green’, to prevent impact on the environment while still enjoying the benefits of the natural outdoors.“Runners and riders will carry their own water and snacks, and are required to take out what they take in. No off-road driving will be permitted and spectators will only be allowed to support on national roads.”For the sake of conserving the environment of the Brandberg, only ten participants will be allowed to take part in the Brandberg FKT Challenge.Cash prizes will be awarded to athletes, male and female, who are able to improve on previous years' records for the same events.Scholtz further said that this is the first year the event will take place on a Sunday.“With most athletes travelling from the coast and far inland, this should allow them to attend the event without having to take the Friday off from work.”Race number pickup will be on the Saturday afternoon at the Daureb Isib Campsite at Uis. On the Saturday evening there will be an informal social braai at the same venue. An auction of luxury accommodation and adventure packages, as well as valuable collector’s items such as autographed books and photo prints, will take place during dinner.Race attendance is by pre-registration only and closes on 4 June 2017. The electronic entry form is available on www.touchandgo.com.na. For more information, contact the organisers on touchandgorun@gmail.com.

Run to save a rhino

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Run to save a rhino

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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