The Kenton Rhino Run made a welcome come back on Sunday, 25 September 2022, following the COVID pandemic. Locals and visitors from far and wide turned up to run for rhinos, raising a mammoth R62,850 for their local rhino charity of choice, Chipembere Rhino Foundation, based in the Eastern Cape province.

The Kenton Rhino Run is a community-driven trail running event to raise awareness and funds against rhino poaching and was held just days after World Rhino Day was celebrated worldwide on 22 September.

World Rhino Day is a global conservation initiative and the theme this year was ‘Five Rhino Species Forever’ to raise public awareness of the five rhino species in the world: Black Rhino, White Rhino, Javan, Sumatran and Greater One-Horned.

According to the IUCN Red List, black rhinos are classified as critically endangered, while white rhinos are classified as near threatened. Just in South Africa, more than 9,353 rhinos has been lost to poaching since 2008 and there are just 15,023 White and 2,056 Black rhinos left in our country.

More than 850 entries were received for this year’s Kenton Rhino Run, including discounted groups of ten and more, as well as some donations. The event was also wholeheartedly supported by the local community and businesses, who came on board to donate their time and expertise, and to sponsor the water points, finishing drinks, spot prizes and local development running teams. Service organisations and non-profits, including Round Table Alex Kenton 210, the Rotary Clubs of Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred, and Coastal Kindness, assisted with insurance, marshalling and first aid. Locals assisted the ground team with course planning and marking, sweeping and marshalling, while resident photographers captured great images which can be accessed by following the links at the end.

Chipembere Rhino Foundation is delighted to thank the organisers and participants, as well as the generous sponsors and volunteers for their incredible help and support that raised almost R63,000 in support of rhino protection efforts.

Rhino lovers who couldn’t join the run can still support the cause by buying the Mastertons Coffee & Tea Specialists’ Chipembere Blend Roasted for a Cause, available from leading retailers, as R5 from every bag of coffee sold is donated to Chipembere Rhino Foundation, and by circling the date for next year’s Kenton Rhino Run!

SAVE THE DATE! The Kenton Rhino Run 2023 – 24 September 2023
Next year, Kenton-on-Sea’s annual fundraiser for rhino will be held in September, when World Rhino Day is observed. Come and join us in September for this exciting annual fun walk/run! For more information, please WhatsApp Jo Wilmot on 0833277479 or email jcwilmot@gmail.com.

Links to pics of the day, by photographer

Photos at the Start / Finish by Dave Stott, from David Stott Photography: https://photos.app.goo.gl/P2XjtFFZiqyTDBS57

Photos at the Kenton Eco Estate by ZorAnn Lottering, from River + Sea: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cq6ZiTMxs51Ruwyd6

Photos from the Start / Finish and drone by Ron Mackenzie: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7a9uFE8ir8Mo4cop8

Photos at Middle Beach by Justin Wilmot: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FGckvrZhrK17raHdA

Photos at Jerry’s by Jo Wilmot: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KhsukBT8YNBF8k9a6

Photos by Brian & Fiddle Hendry: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NnCU7t3eXa5BrCbXA

Photos by Nan Lutz, Rivers Rest Kenton: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ML3HGx9rSqMQUtreA