Around 3:30pm on August 5th, our Race Director Kris, course director Sam and Media Geek Will, stood near the equator in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. There was a flurry of urgent activity as Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner on earth, was shown into a helicopter which would carry him out to say hello and wish good luck to a few runners still making their way across the savannah.
As the helicopter took off and flew directly overhead, whipping up dust and sending a wave through the long grass surrounding them, the bull elephant who had been moping around in the tree line thirty metres or so away was startled and moved off into the woods. Will and Kris looked at each other and burst out laughing. This was pure Hollywood.
There’s no denying the fact that the BTU Team love what we do. We get to share in life-changing experiences with awesome people doing epic stuff in beautiful places. When it comes to jobs we realise we are pretty blessed.
We had a race through a breath-taking area, among iconic and beautiful African wildlife. We had an amazing and worthy cause to support and our logistical team was made up of the very people we were there to fundraise for. It made for spectacularly high morale and a series of events which will sit prominently in the memories of all involved for many years to come. As this kind of event had never been done before. We were also excited to deliver and show the world that Beyond the Ultimate really are specialists in unique events.
Our partnership with Save the Rhino and For Rangers has brought us into contact with two passionate, dedicated and dynamic teams with whom it has been a pleasure to work. It also provided us with an opportunity to work alongside the rangers who protected the runners of our race and who spend their lives standing sentinel over Africa’s wildlife. These brave men are the last line of defence between the Earth’s remaining Rhinos and Elephants and the highly armed and motivated poachers who kill these beautiful animals for profit.
“The culmination of 4 years of work behind the scenes from a lot of people, this event provided some epic filmic moments, but more importantly it provided a large injection of funds for our partners. Between the efforts of our runners and staff. The profits from this year’s race have passed £90,000. A huge statement for the potential of this race in the future” – Kris King
This money will go to support the work of Save the Rhino and For Rangers. This money will mean help to fund Save the Rhinos work at 25 field programs across 12 countries. It will help inspire communities to focus on conservation, link experts from around the world and help to fund the work of the rangers. It will also help For Rangers to ensure the continuing welfare of the Rangers themselves. From the socks and boots they need for the long days they spend in the field, to educational programs and support for their families, to training in the skills and techniques they need to survive, For Rangers will be able to use this money to help make life for the rangers a little easier.
- UPDATE AUGUST 2019
We’re now one month away from this year’s race and the ballot for the 2020 is open! Get your entries in ASAP to be in with a chance of grabbing a place.
The total funds raised by the 2018 race are now over £110,000 which is amazing. We hope to do more each year as this amazing race grows.
Here’s a few other amazing numbers from For Rangers Ultra 2018:
Total Distance: 220km
Rhino conservanicies: 5 – Lewa, Borana, Ol Jogi, Lolldaiga, Ol Pejeta
Runners: 50
Countries represented: 12
Rangers on guard: 250
Youngest runner: 18 years
Oldest runner: 64 years
Fastest male: 22:33:42
Fastest female: 28:29:35
Daytime temperature: >30 °c
Overnight temperature: <5 °c
Total calories consumed by runners: 147’000
