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Adventurer Vilane set to confront Kruger2Canyon Challenge

Sibusiso Vilane

Legendary South African adventurer Sibusiso Vilane is not one for half measures. He has already conquered Mount Everest twice and climbed all Seven Summits – the highest mountains of each of the continents.

Now he has become an accomplished trail runner and on June 18 and 19 will confront the rugged Kruger2Canyon Challenge, one of the Old Mutual Wild Series events.

The two-day trail run covers a tough 70km course and gives runners the unique opportunity to run through the Blyde River Canyon and the Blue Canyon Conservancy.

“It has been publicised as the most beautiful trail run in this country, so I want to go and see for myself,” Vilane says.

The adventurer has become a familiar figure at Old Mutual Wild Series events, and cites several reasons: “The first is that they are challenging, and I love physical challenges that test my ability as well as my preparedness. Secondly, the Wild Series events are special and give one the opportunity to experience some of the wildest parts of our country. And thirdly, they give you the chance to share the adventure with other like-minded people.”

Vilane summited Mount Everest in 2003 and again with Sir Ranulph Fiennes in 2005, becoming the first black African to climb the world’s highest peak twice. In late 2007 he and fellow adventurer Alex Harris trekked unsupported and unassisted to the South Pole, becoming the first South Africans to do so.

Will he be racing the Kruger2Canyon Challenge or taking time to enjoy the surroundings and watch the wild game? “It has to be a bit of both for me. For me it is about being there and enjoying every moment of it. So I will use all my senses to enjoy the run. I’ll race while enjoying the scenery,” he says.

Somebody who will be going all out for first place is Wandisile Nongodlwana, who is tackling Kruger2Canyon for the first time after having twice won another Old Mutual Wild Series event, the Golden Gate Challenge.

“I would love to win it,” says Nongodlwana. “Running a multi-day trail run is challenging. I have to pace myself properly throughout.”

The Kruger2Canyon Challenge supports the local NGO for the area, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Project. “If the biosphere is conserved, then the animals and plants that depend on it will also be conserved,” Race Director Andrew Booth explains.

Vilane is a vocal supporter of the environmental objectives: “I love our environment and I love nature and conservation. To be able to run in South Africa’s wildest and most pristine places makes it worth being there,” he says. “It’s motivating to know that if we look after the environment, then we will still be able to enjoy it in the future.”

Old Mutual Head of Brand Karen Thomas says the environmental aspect is central to the organisation’s sponsorship of the Wild Series. “As Sibusiso says, it is important to take a long view and think about the generations to come.”

Wildlands’ forward thinking dovetails with Old Mutual’s long-term business philosophy and its responsible approach to environmental management. “We are proud to partner Wildlands and we fully support its commitment to safeguarding the future of our natural world,” says Thomas.

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