Running for Rhino

On Friday the 26th of April 100 passionate trail runners set off to an unknown gem of a Nature Reserve, Somkhanda, to take part in the inaugural Bonitas Radox Somkhanda Rhino Run. The participants were greeted with cosy fires and an awe inspiring sunset and full moon. During the one day trail run race briefing , runners were told about the “do’s and don’ts” should they come across a Rhino, large spiders or spitting cobra’s – “otherwise just enjoy!”

Somkhanda Game Reserve, consisting of 11 600 ha, is a community owned Game Reserve, which is run and managed in partnership by the Gumbi Community, Wildlands Conservation Trust, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and WWF. Apart from the Rhino populations, the game reserve has valuable populations of Leopard, Nyala, Zebra, Giraffe and a variety of typical bushveld game.

Runners set off on a chilly Saturday morning under a blanket of mist, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it cooled down the toughest part of the race. The 50km route was described by runners as a “hilly first 25km’s and a fairly easy second half,” with 2 tough hills to conquer and rocky roads to navigate. Avid trail runner and passionate Wildlands supporter, Filippo Faralla, led the race for most of the day and went on to take first place with Warren Eva and Jacques Burger in second and third place respectively in the male category. In the ladies division, Alison Misselhorn came in first place with Julia Hackland in second and Driekie Black in third.

Several “war stories” were shared around the camp fire that evening, with several runners having encountered abnormally large spiders, a spectacular ‘only in the movies’ sunrise, Zebra, Nyala, Giraffe and other game.

“With the current Rhino poaching crisis gripping South Africa, Somkhanda Game Reserve provides a significant refuge for both White and Black Rhino,” commented Wildlands Strategic Manager, Kevin McCann. “The Somkhanda Trail Run has raised much needed funding to support the ever growing security requirements for these Rhino populations. Wildlands Conservation Trust is partnering with Wildlife Act Fund to ensure the intensive and regular monitoring of these valuable Rhino populations, with this event contributing to the expense of the Rhino monitors,” said McCann.

As a way of giving back to the local communities surrounding Somkhanda, a ‘Big Day Out’ was held for children from the surrounding schools.  100 children from nine primary schools in the Gumbi community participated on the day.  The event is made possible by Bonitas Medical Fund and Old Mutual, and 20 bicycles were also donated by Coca-Cola as prizes on the day.

The children eagerly participated in a 3km run and then joined teams from the Wildlands Conservation Trust and Wildlife ACT Fund for some leadership activities and a game drive into the reserve to see and learn about the reserve’s flagship species, the Black and White Rhino.

Teachers from the participating schools had an opportunity to attend Old Mutual’s ‘On the Money’ training workshop where they were given some useful information on the basics of money management.  Bikes were awarded to the top three girls and boys in the run, for top academic achievers in each school and the top two ‘Green Heroes’ of the day – those youngsters who have shown that extra bit of leadership potential and who have an obvious love and respect for nature. The children really enjoyed themselves and were excited to learn more about the wildlife in their reserve, one young learner, Thandeka Gumbi said, “I like to learn about Rhino monitoring and other animals. I am so happy because I learnt about a lot of things that I didn’t know about.”

Wild Series Event Co-ordinator, Heidi Carter Brown commented on the race, “all in all the entire event was a huge success. When we opened up entries for this run I cannot tell you how quickly the spaces filled up with people passionate about Rhino and wanting to do their bit to help us in our anti-poaching fight,” said Heidi. “This event also would not have been possible without our key sponsors, Bonitas Medical Fund and Radox, thank you for sharing our passion in conservation.”