Gerda Steyn makes her way past the SHR water point. Comrades Marathon 2024 Sports events The objectives of SHR sports events (in order) are to: • Generate publicity - promote SHR, SANParks, and/or the national park in which the event takes place, and event sponsors, where applicable. • Create goodwill among participants to stimulate word of mouth endorsement. • Support neighbouring communities surrounding the national park. • Provide activities for members. • Raise funds. The SHR is involved in sixteen sports events in one way or another. This excludes region golf days, of which there are many. Comrades Marathon Association Official Charity: During 2023, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) appointed the SHR as one of its six official charities as part of its official Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive for the next three years. Our first Comrades Marathon, in June 2024, was spectacularly successful; we raised over R700 000 in donations and had nearly 100 runners running for SHR through Race4Charity. The SHR hosted stands at the Durban and Pietermaritzburg Expos. Two life-sized inflatable elephants and legendary SHR hospitality made our water point the talk of the town. Importantly, much publicity was generated. Sports events offer mountain bikers, runners, paddlers and other sporting enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy their preferred activity in a national park, and/or to contribute to conservation through their sport. SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 94 Members’ activities continued SPORTING EVENTS NATIONAL PROJECT
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