WHEN the world celebrates World Rhino Day on 22 September, a group of elite athletes and people of influence will raise money for the conservation of rhino and other endangered species by taking on the annual run and hike up the iconic Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg.

This year ten elite athletes will take on the challenge and will use their wide reaching influence to attract pledges from the general public as they try to raise as much money as possible in aid of the rhino and the Bearded Vulture, which inhabits the Rhino Peak itself as well as large parts of the Drakensberg.

Amongst the elite athletes are the likes of Rory Scheffer, who is an athlete with conservation particularly close to his heart, looking to chase the Fastest Known Time that was set by Kane Reilly in 2017 – a record that he held in 2016.

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From a ladies perspective, Toni McCann, Noami Brandt and Linda Doke will be taking on the challenge. All three have impressive records with McCann winning the Sundowner Run, part of the Ultra-Trail Drakensberg.

Doke’s record includes victories in five of the six 100 Milers that she has taken part in as well as being the mixed record holder, with Ryno Griesel, for the Drakensberg Grand Traverse.

This year will see the introduction of a team from Rhino Africa. Rhino Africa provides tailor-made tour packages for people in Africa. They will field a five-person team to take on the challenge.

Anyone interested in making a pledge to support any of these athletes can visit www.rhinopeakchallenge.co.za.

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