3 CRANES CHALLENGE
24 – 26 February 2012
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MAKE EVERY STEP COUNT: FUND RAISING FOR KZN ENDANGERED CRANES
The 3 Cranes Challenge is a 3 day stage race through the beautiful Karkloof valley and breeding grounds of South Africa’s endangered cranes. Sadly, all three of South Africa’s crane species are in decline due to man’s relentless exploitation of their delicate habitat. By running the Bonitas Three Cranes Challenge I will not only participate in an awesome event, but I will also assist the plight of these beautiful birds!
We cover a total distance of approximately 106 kilometers over 3 days from the base camp at Bushwillow Camp (Karkloof), KZN. The run will incorporate roads in and around the Gilboa and Karkloof Nature Reserve area, I can expect easy off road tracks through Mondi forests and Grasslands, some trail running through beautiful misty forests and magnificent views as we run along the Gilboa escarpment. The night run will add a new dimension and adventure to this challenge and promise to bring out the adventurer in me!
The race differs from the African X which I will be running in March in that the latter is a team event and this is an individual race. This being said, I will also be running this race with my trusty “partner in crime”, Elize Boshoff, who has sponsored my entry for me in aid of the campaign. We will be using this race as a build up towards African X and just to get use to running with each other again, seeing that we will be sharing almost my entire 600 kilometers goal.
The 2 men in our lives, Frikkie on Elize’s side and Gary on my side, will be keeping each other company, sipping a cold beer and actually anxiously await our arrival back at the finish. Thanks guys for your loyal support!
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Fundraising: Adopt a Crane Program
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“Danni & Bella: our adopted babies”
2 Orphaned baby cranes were adopted by the race organizers in the "Adopt a Crane" program. This program funds the rehabilitation and upkeep of orphaned and injured cranes. Danni & Bella were adopted in 2010 got named by the 2010 winners Nick de Beer & Rentia Denissen. Dirk Cloete and Kerry Koen took over being their parents in 2011, and now once again the organizers are looking forward to some new parents in 2012.
For more info on this great initiative and to support the plight of these beautiful birds, please visit their website: www.3craneschallenge.co.za