Kimberley Harriers running for conservation

FOR THOSE with a love for the outdoors and a passion for nature conservation, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and get ready for a thrilling nature adventure as the Kimberley Harriers Running Club proudly presents the seventh Vulture Conservation Trail Run.

This exciting event is set to take place this Saturday, September 2, starting at 8am. The run takes place in the picturesque Dronfield Nature Reserve, offering participants an opportunity to combine their passion for running with their love for conservation.

The Vulture Conservation Trail Run offers a challenging 16-kilometre trail winding through the captivating landscapes of the Dronfield Nature Reserve. As participants traverse the trail, they’ll be immersed in the natural beauty of the reserve while contributing to the preservation of its precious inhabitants.

The participation fee for this invigorating run is R200. Special discounts are available for scholars and those above 60 years of age, who will pay R180.

Runners must be at least 15 years of age to participate, and the challenge comes with a cut-off time of three hours. Aspiring runners without an ASA (Athletics South Africa) licence can acquire a temporary licence for R60, enabling them to take part in the event.

For those seeking a more leisurely experience, the event also features a 4.9-kilometre fun run or walk. Open to all ages and with no cut-off time, this shorter trail provides an excellent opportunity for families and individuals of all fitness levels to come together for a day of outdoor enjoyment.

The entry fee for the fun run or walk is R100, with reduced rates of R80 for scholars and those over 60.

Entries can still be submitted on Friday, September 1, at Hoërskool Diamantveld from 4.30pm to 7pm. The race will kick off at 8am the next day, promising an adrenaline-filled start to the weekend.

Race packs can be collected at Hoërskool Diamantveld on September 1 between 4pm and 7pm. For out-of-town runners, race packs will be available for collection on race day itself, from 7am to 7.45am.

Participants are advised to be prepared for the run. With no water stations along the trail, runners are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. However, there will be a water point at the finish line. To ensure a clean and respectful environment, participants are reminded that no littering or use of earphones will be allowed during the run.

Safety and visibility are paramount, and runners are required to display two permanent licence numbers on both the front and back of their clothing. This measure not only ensures accurate identification but also fosters a sense of unity among participants.

As the trails wind down and the runners cross the finish line, the day will conclude with a prize-giving ceremony and a lucky draw at 11.15am. The event is not only about running but also about fostering a sense of community and a shared commitment to preserving nature’s wonders.

So, mark your calendars and get set to join the Kimberley Harriers Running Club in their endeavour to combine fitness, fun, and conservation at the Vulture Conservation Trail Run.

More about vulture extinction in South Africa

The predicament of vulture extinction in South Africa has emerged as a pressing concern, prompting the Kimberley Harriers Running Club to actively participate in conservation efforts. Each contribution, every entry fee received, holds the potential to significantly aid this vital conservation cause.

The Dronfield Nature Reserve serves as a haven for a breeding enclave of white-backed vultures, a subject of comprehensive research spanning two decades.

Should immediate and effective action not be taken, Southern Africa faces the imminent loss of its vulture population. Vultures confront peril not solely from conventional practices but also from a range of formidable threats, including habitat degradation, scarcity of sustenance, fatalities due to power line electrocutions, and inadvertent demises caused by the usage of harmful veterinary drugs.

Vultures constitute a distinctive and indispensable component of Africa’s ecosystems. As obligatory scavengers, they assume a pivotal role in curbing the proliferation of diseases by swiftly eliminating decomposing carcasses from their surroundings.

The decline in Africa’s vulture numbers has reached alarming proportions, as evidenced by the Critical Endangerment classification now applied to three out of South Africa’s eight vulture species, a category that includes the formerly prolific White-backed Vulture.