Whatshot
African Wild Dog is the biggest winner
African Wild Dog is the biggest winner
Ideal weather conditions - vastly different to last year's torrential downpour - saw riders burning up the course through the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and shaving more than an hour off the 2015 winning time.
Meintjies and Schuit finished in 02h32, a whopping 01h18 faster than last year's winning time.
Third place went to Michael Montgomery in 02h43.
The women's race was won by Elaine Carter-Brown in 03h21, with Jenni Soutar second in 03h41 and Sophia Rollo third in 03h43.
The conditions on the ride were overcast and a bit windy, with the rain holding off until the event was finished and only sprinkling during the prize-giving. As always, the annual race's biggest winner was conservation, with the 300 riders contributing to saving the critically endangered African Wild Dog.
The race's long term legacy is the sustainability of the park and the animals that roam in it. The beauty and diversity of South Africa's flora and fauna is one of our country's greatest assets, and we should all help conserve it.
"With funds raised through the iMfolozi Challenge, the rangers canensure more effective behaviour-based management and rapid response around any illegal activity, incidents or threats to wildlife," from the rangers," said Dr. Andrew Venter, CEO of Wildlands.
The race route takes riders through spectacular scenery and also gives them the experience of seeing game up close and personal. The park is home to the Big 5 and this year some of the riders had to make way for a herd of elephants.
If you would like to participate in one of the unique Old Mutual Wild Series events, visit https://www.wildseries.co.za for more information.