The 20th running of the world class Old Mutual Sunday Tribune Mont Aux Sources Trail Run took place on the 6th of September 2014, also International Vulture Awareness day, a day which aims to publicize the conservation of vultures to a wider audience. The Mont Aux Sources Wild Series event has much relevance to this day, as funds raised through this challenge are used to monitor and safeguard the Bearded Vulture in the Maloti – Drakensberg Royal Natal Park, also a World Heritage site.
Runners ran through some of our country’s most rugged and beautiful scenery, with magnificent views of Bearded Vulture’s flying overhead along the route and landing at Witsieshoek.
Eric Ngubane took first place in the men’s category, in an unbelievable time of 4 hours and 22 minutes, followed by Ray Orchison with 42 minutes between them, while Trish Bahlmann came in first place at 5 hours and 34 minutes for the women– and also 3rd overall.
Eric Ngubane has run this event three times and won each time. “I was very happy to complete the race and most importantly beating a record that stood for 15 years,” said a proud Ngubane. “It is also important not to forget that we are doing this for the conservation of our beautiful environment and the species that surround it.”
“Over the past 20 years this event has raised significant funds with the most recent Mont Aux Sources event raising R400 000, which is a true testimony to the fact that people are becoming more conscious of our conservation efforts around endangered species such as the Bearded Vulture,” said Wildlands CEO Dr Andrew Venter . “Old Mutual have also recently come on board as our new title sponsor and share in our passion for endurance sports, conservation and sustainability, which makes this partnership a perfect fit,” said Venter.
Commented Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, General Manager – Old Mutual Marketing, “We are excited to be the new title sponsor of the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s Wild Series events. This sponsorship has strong links with our business on many levels. Not only is endurance sports a key pillar of Old Mutual’s sponsorship portfolio; but this partnership also strongly resonates with Old Mutual’s philosophy to do business responsibly and focus on sustainability. It is great to see our partnership move into action.”
“We appreciate every single person that takes part and does their bit, but have to make mention of individuals such as Con Roux who has participated in this event for the 7th year running – Thank you for being such a great ambassador for the trust Con!” These events create amazing partnerships. Con Roux is the Commercial Manager of N3TC, who has also been instrumental in securing funds to support the construction of three vulture hides in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains, in Giants Castle, Cathedral Peak and Golden Gate.
Special mention must also be made of ABI, who have sponsored the Mont Aux Sources challenge in all the 20 years it has been running. ABI representative, Rajen Motheram has also been part of this prestigious event for 18 of the 20 years – a longstanding partnership indeed – thank you Rajen and ABI for all you have done to make this event a success year after year.
In partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the funds raised by the Mont Aux Sources Challenge are allocated to the monitoring and protection of Bearded Vulture through the fitting of satellite transmitters. The hosting of the Mont Aux Sources Challenge by Wildlands, Old Mutual, Sunday Tribune, Radox Man, ABI and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will continue to provide a much-needed boost for the conservation of this iconic species of the Drakensberg Mountains.
Wildlands’ Kevin McCann highlighted the conservation value of this event – “With the massive pressure on species such as the Bearded Vulture in the Maloti Drakensberg mountains, events such as the Mont-Aux-Sources trail run not only allows individuals to contribute through their participation, but also get exposed to the real issues facing these species. These contributions are significant and the vultures of these magnificent mountains will benefit as a result of each and every person running this event.”
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)