Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – The South African National Parks Honorary Rangers (SANParks Honorary Rangers) has been named one of the six official charities for the upcoming Comrades Marathon editions in 2024, 2025, and 2026. This prestigious selection is part of the Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive, aiming to raise funds for various charitable causes.
The announcement, made on October 3, 2023, during the official launch of the 2024 Comrades Marathon at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, solidifies the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ role in promoting wildlife and nature conservation.
Delaine Cools, the Marketing and Communication Manager of CMA, highlighted the tremendous success of the Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive, which has raised over R71 million for charity over the past 27 years. This achievement is attributed to the generosity of Comrades Marathon participants, supporters, sponsors, and the wider public.
Comrades Marathon runners, during the registration process, are encouraged to support their chosen charity or raise funds through the Race4Charity platform. Those passionate about wildlife conservation can align their Comrades experience with a noble cause by selecting the SANParks Honorary Rangers as their preferred charity.
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Entries for the 2024 Comrades Marathon opened on November 21, 2023, and will close on December 11, 2023, or upon reaching the cap of 23,000 entries. The highly anticipated marathon is scheduled for June 9, 2024.
Jimmy Telle, Chief Executive of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “With over 2000 members across the country, the SANParks Honorary Rangers are enthusiastically standing by to support all runners who join our cause.” Telle added that members will actively participate in the Comrades Marathon Expo and provide assistance at the water point in Camperdown on race day.
The SANParks Honorary Rangers, as the official volunteer organisation for South African National Parks (SANParks), directs funds raised towards conservation projects identified by SANParks. These initiatives encompass critical areas such as anti-poaching, conservation efforts, ranger well-being, and environmental education, ensuring that the funds contribute where they are needed most.
