Tusk Trust

News on the Marathan which raises money for Tusk

SAFARICOM MARATHON 2010


The 11th Safaricom Marathon and Half Marathon will take place at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, 140 miles north of Nairobi on Saturday 26th June 2010. Organised by Tusk and supported by Safaricom this fundraising event will host 1,000 runners from 20 different countries. The Safaricom Marathon is regarded as one of the toughest marathons in the world. However, runners of all abilities take part, from fun runners, walkers and amateurs, to professionals like Paul Tergat the Kenyan international and former world record holder.

The event is run through some of East Africa’s most beautiful scenery. Mount Kenya lies to the south and there are breath-taking views north towards Samburu and Mount Lololokwe. The heavily protected 65,000 acre wildlife sanctuary is home to over 100 rhino, herds of elephant and a vast assortment of plains game including zebra, giraffe, buffalo and much more.

REGISTRATION
Entry for this years event is now fully subscribed.

THE EVENT
There are two race categories; The Full Marathon, which is an individual event, and the Half Marathon, a team event, to which a minimum of five and a maximum of ten runners can enter per team. Both races start at 7.15am at the southern end of the conservancy. The course is set on dirt roads that take the runners on an undulating 21km course through the reserve, across savannah plains, along river banks and through acacia woodland before finishing close to Lewa’s headquarters.

Half Marathon runner completes one loop of the course, Full Marathon runners, two. The route is watched over by a large and experienced team of armed rangers, with two helicopters and a spotter plane in the air throughout the race. Water stations and first aid points are situated every 2.5km along the course. Medical support at the finish is provided by AMREF - the flying doctors, the Kenya Red Cross and local hospitals. On completion of the race each runner is presented with a medal and goody bag. Prizes for race and age group category are awarded at a prize giving ceremony at 12.30pm.

FUNDRAISING
The impact of the event has been huge and the benefits are very tangible. Since its inception the event has raised $2 million. Tusk and Lewa have always shared a common goal to use wildlife conservation as a catalyst to alleviate poverty, reduce conflict, and improve education and livelihoods in rural areas rich in biodiversity. As such the funds raised from each event (In 2009 US$500,000 was raised) are invested in a wide range of projects benefiting sustainable development, education, healthcare, and wildlife. Our clear aim is to balance the needs of rural communities with the objective of preserving Kenya’s unique natural heritage for future generations.

We ask each competitor to raise a minimum of £1,000 for these causes over and above the cost of entering the event. Tusk Trust is registered with www.justgiving.com and www.virginmoneygiving.com both online charity fundraising websites which allow you to create a sponsorship form that your friends can easily access and donate to knowing their money is going direct to this cause.

Now that would be a fun run for a very good cause!

Lai

Wouldn't that just be wonderful to do Lai, not sure if my legs could handle that and how would you train to cope with the conditions there, but what an exciting and worthwhile event to be involved with.....wonder if we have any runers on here that may be up for it next year?? It would just be so lovely to be involved or know someone who was running that we could sponsor.

littlewid-x-

Funnily enough Littlewid i am trying to persuade Pete to do it next year. I've only ever run 10k once a few years ago in Manchester and i was rubbish. But i would be the support for Pete and be like a cheer leader :bball: :bball:

i'll keep you posted on that one! I would love to be involved somehow

Lai

Lai I would be up for supporting him and we could dedicate a thread to his training and fundraising on here. Keep us informed as to your powers of persuasion......Go Pete Go

littlewid-x-

Will do Littlewid and thanks.

Lai

i regret to say that Pete is not thinking he would like to do the Marathon. He's done the London one some years ago but doesnt feel up to the Lewa one. I had hoped i could persuade him (think of the lovely safari afterwards Lewa/Laikipia my favourite place blah blah etc etc) but NO it's a non starter.

Nice idea though Littlewid for your support thread, so thanks.

Lai

Tusk Conservation Lecture 2010
18th November 2010
The Royal Geographical Society, London
Doors Open 6.00 pm
Lecture Starts 6.45pm
Reception 8 - 9.00pm

The 16th annual Tusk Conservation Lecture at the Royal Geographical Society’s historic Ondaatje Theatre will feature three special guest speakers from Africa who will talk about Tusk’s achievements in the field over the last two decades. Drawing on their collective experience the BBC’s Big Cat presenter, Jackson Looseyia, community expert, Tom Lalampa and renowned conservationist, Tony Fitzjohn OBE will discuss how an integrated approach to conservation, education, and sustainable development has brought enormous benefits to wildlife and communities alike. The event will include the opportunity for members of the audience to join the speakers for a post lecture reception.

Tickets will be available from 1st September via the Tusk office - £15 lecture only, or £25 including the Reception. http://www.tusk.org/tusk-conservation-lecture-2010.asp


Lai

Thats a real must Lai, would need to sort out how to get there and back, wouldn't drive to London and the train back on your own late at night is not a good thing to do, will need to think about that one as I would love to go.
Thanks for posting the info.

littlewid-x-

Wow, that would be a great event to attend. What is with these wonderful things being mid-week though! Eeeek!! Certainly something I will look into!!

I was watching Tonight with Prince William and Prince Harry that I had sky+ from a few weeks ago, and discovered Prince William was patron of Tusk Trust! I didn't know that!! Must pay more attention (and buy myself a blooming laptop)

You definitely need a laptop Anne-Marie !!!

I agree with these mid week things, they are a pain, but they always seem to be. Okay for the townies but not so good for the rest of us.

Lai

.

WAA outing - brilliant!

Lai

REMINDER

Tickets are now on sale

http://www.tusk.org/tusk-conservation-lecture-2010.asp

Lai

Thanks for the reminder Lai
littlewid-x-

6 of us went to the Tusk lecture and reception on Thursday - the Future for Conservation in Africa. It was hoted by Kate Silverton and had 3 speakers. Jackson Looseyia, Tom Lalampaa (who is Samburu and Community Development Manager from the Northern Rangelands Trust ) and Tony Fitzjohn (who worked with George Adamson at Kora in Africa).

What a brilliant evening. Charlie Mayhew (CEO of Tusk) gave an introduction to the work of Tusk with a short film and then each speaker starting with Jackson was interviewed by Kate. Before each speaker there was another short film and it really gave an amazing insight into the work of not only Tusk but the 3 speakers.

They all spoke passionately about their work and we could have listened for ages it was so interesting. Needless to say the question of poaching being on the increase was raised and the serengeti road.

After the talk we had tickets to the reception so were able to catch up with Tom who i've not met before but what a lovely person, he's never been to England before and had never spoken in front of such a large audience but took it all in his stride - best of all he and Jackson were dressed in their normal clothes which on the underground had caused some interest!

Jackson was much in demand too but we did manage to have 5 minutes with him which was lovely as all 6 of us have stayed at Rekero. He did well to say he remembered us all.

Fitz was selling copies of his book Born Wild and signing them so I bought a copy and can't wait to read it.

Tusk were selling all sorts of goodies, including Christmas cards and a couple of lovely books, Ackroyds Ark and Ackroyds Ark Two by Two which Tim was signing. (I'm after my copy as Tim is a friend and I'm doing something to raise some money for Tusk in December, but I did get 3 of my friends to buy a copy)

The unique book, compiled by Tusk founder Timothy Ackroyd, brings together a collection of over 180 paintings, drawings, doodles, poems and short stories by a host of artists, actors, musicians, authors and well-known personalities

The other lovely surprise was that Simon and Marguerite King were there (Simon is a Patron of Tusk) so we also had a great catch up with him. He is mad busy with his new website and it sounds great and should be up and running soon.

As ever there was not enough time but it really was the most amazing evening, Jackson and Tom were real stars and seemed so at ease at what must have been quite a daunting evening. Life in Africa compared to the hustle and bustle of the UK!

Lai

It sounded like a wonderful evening Lai. So glad you had a catch up with everyone.

Im so jealous you got a copy of Tim's signed book. I collect signed copies of books/literature.

Thanks for the update on the evening.

SM

It really does sound like an amazing evening Lai and how wonderful that Simon and Marguerite were there as well, all you needed was Jonathan to make the team of BCD/BCL.
What were their thoughts/plans on poaching and the Serengeti road Lai? it would be interesting to know what they think/said.
I am so pleased you had a brilliant time and also had time to catch up with Jackson.

littlewid-x-

Well sadly the Serengeti highway came up as a question from someone in the audience at the end. It was answered by Fitz and what he basically said was that there was already an existing road, it was a question of upgrading it and it was propably best not to interfere and antagonise the Taz government it would only make matters worse.

Lai

I didnt realise Lai there was an existing road that would probably be upgraded. That changes the focus.

Obviously I have not done my homework.

SM

Latest from Tusk Trust

Mark Davis Testimonial Year
06 January 2011

Tusk has been chosen by the Sussex Cricketer Mark Davis as a beneficiary of his Testimonial Year in 2011. Although based in the UK for over ten years, Mark is South African and has a passion for Africa and its wildlife. Mark will be holding a series of events across the UK starting with the Launch Dinner on the 11th March 2011 where a range of fantastic auction prizes will be up for sale. For full details please download full details here Mark Davis Testimonial Year

http://www.tusk.org/news.asp?newsid=90

Lai

What a refreshing change after all the footy transfer saga, and greed of the players, for a sportsman to do something like this. I think he deserves a round of

WS

I couldn't agree more WS

Lai

Can't say Im a cricket fan, but its nice that a testimonial is being used in this way. Well done Mark!

SM