3 May 2023
Maritzburg College will be well represented in September’s Rhino Peak Challenge (RPC), a 21km half-marathon fundraiser for the conservation of rhinos and other endangered animals.
College master Brandon de Lange and cross-country boys Lethokuhle Shangase and Riley Kleinhans are ambassadors for the Drakensberg event which is a physically challenging trail run up to the summit of Rhino Peak (3056m) and back.
Over the years, many of South Africa’s leading trail runners have taken on the RPC. The fastest times run are: 2h15min by Kane Reilly, for the men, and 2hr45min by Holly Page, for the women.
Usually, though, times range between four and nine hours, and participants adopt a more leisurely pace. Fundraising, after all, is the purpose of the challenge.
Since 2016, almost R5.2-million has been raised.
The Maritzburg College trio has embraced the fact that the need to conserve South Africa’s precious wildlife is vital and the responsibility of all South Africans.
Promoting awareness
The 27-year-old Brandon de Lange says that the team believes the joy of experiencing the outdoors while taking on a demanding challenge is their way of promoting awareness of the need for conservation and the support it deserves.
De Lange is a College Old Boy. He has found his way back to the school through his interest in studying psychology and teaching English. He says: “Running has been a form of therapy for me as it creates a sense of confidence in my own ability to overcome challenges. I am intrigued by the link between running and psychology and how much they can influence each other.”
The 16-year-old Shangase says running has transformed his life: “Running gives me a sense of purpose. It gives me the confidence to take on challenges.”
Kleinhans is a matric boarder at Maritzburg College. His hobbies are hiking, running, poetry and photography. He aspires to join the Royal Navy after school.
How to support
To support the College team in the RPC, visit the Ambassadors page on the Rhino Peak Challenge website via the link https://bit.ly/424Ncf2 to make your donation and read up about the team.
The beneficiaries of the Rhino Peak Challenge include the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the Maloti Drakensberg Vulture Project, Wildlife ACT Rhino Conservation, and Wildlife ACT Vulture Conservation.
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world that still has a significant population of black and white rhino left in the wild. It is also one of the reasons why the country is bearing the brunt of one of the worst global wildlife conservation crises of the past century.
You can find out more about the beneficiaries and how much money has been raised so far at Rhino Peak Challenge.
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