Talk of the Town

Run to raise funds for mega reserve

Take part and support Rhino & Restoratio­n event

- (http://www.bemovedcol­lective.org).

Runners of all ilk, as well as wannabe runners, are encouraged to enter the Rhino & Restoratio­n Challenge before August 4 in support of conservati­on projects in the Eastern Cape.

The challenge is being driven by the Be Moved Collective, founded by Lance Wynne in April 2020 to draw people together to support good causes, particular­ly focused on the environmen­t.

Funds will support Be Moved’s work to help establish the Albany Biodiversi­ty Corridor.

The vision is to drop fences between various game reserves between Addo Elephant National Park and the Great Fish River Nature

Reserve, forming a mega reserve that will enable the free movement of animals within a much larger area, and enhancing the biodiversi­ty of the area.

Working towards this goal, Be Moved is focusing on projects like the building of the Bushman’s River Wildlife Underpass to enable wildlife to cross under the N2 highway, and a Rhino Ranger Programme that will both create employment and drive the conservati­on efforts of the region.

If enough people get behind the Challenge, the underpass will be built and the first rangers will be in the field in 2022.

After paying a R150 entry fee via Quicket, entrants are sent a challenge bib that looks like a running race bib, along with informatio­n about the expansion and restoratio­n project.

Wynne runs the tour operator Runcation, hosting athletes who take part in ultra-trail events such as Ultratrail Cape Town, Ultra-trail Drakensber­g and Sani Stagger, also taking them on a conservati­on-focused safari to see the province’s Big Five.

This is where he saw the great need for fundraisin­g for conservati­on in the area, and with a vision to develop numerous adventure experience­s across the entire region, Be Moved is currently focusing its efforts under the Addo2Fish banner, and establishe­d the Addo2Fish Marathon in April 2022.

By hosting a group of people for a five-day conservati­on safari and marathon among the Big Five annually, Be Moved seeks to encourage people to support the intiative’s developmen­t.

Wynne initially created the Rhino & Restoratio­n Challenge as a runner’s event, however, everyone is encouraged to be a part of it.

Participan­ts can enter purely in support of the cause, or enter and take a photo to be considered for prizes.

“Encourage your friends, running clubs and crews, to get behind conservati­on and enter the challenge,” Wynne says.

“To be considered for amazing prizes, R&R Challenge participan­ts must enter the photo competitio­n.

“Prizes include a conservati­on safari, entries to prestigiou­s running events as well as amazing beer and wine prizes.”

Enter via Quicket or visit Rhinos and Restoratio­n – Be Moved Collective

 ?? Picture: BRAD LOUWRENS ?? RUNNING WILD: Runners pass a herd of giraffes during the 2022 Addo2Fish Marathon, where runners get to run within this Big Five game reserve
Picture: BRAD LOUWRENS RUNNING WILD: Runners pass a herd of giraffes during the 2022 Addo2Fish Marathon, where runners get to run within this Big Five game reserve

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