![\"ccs-62657-0-27631400-1472038915.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-27631400-1472038915.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The magnificent Southern Drakensberg region is set to be transformed into a frenzy of adventure activity this September as trail runners and mountain bikers alike descend upon the region for the 2016 Rhino Peak Challenge and Fedauto Sani Dragon in association with Mortimer Toyota respectively. Supplied\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\nThursday 22 September\u2019s Rhino Peak Challenge sees an exclusive group of some of the country\u2019s top trail runners and sporting and conservation personalities come together in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park to contribute towards the saving of two critically endangered species \u2013 the Rhino and the Bearded Vulture.<\/p>\n
In celebration of World Rhino Day, the Rhino Peak Challenge\u2019s twenty-four invited participants will be locked in a \u2018race against the clock\u2019 as they attempt to summit and descend the iconic Rhino Peak as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
The twelve elite trail runners are tasked with beating the respective three and half hour and four hour men\u2019s and women\u2019s cut-off marks while the twelve \u2018VIP\u2019 participants do battle against their own self-determined cut-off time.<\/p>\n
By utilising their public profile, participants seek to secure pre-race pledges from individuals and corporates alike.<\/p>\n
Each pledge is then multiplied by the difference between participants\u2019 cut-off time and their actual race time, with the group\u2019s sum total going to the event\u2019s official beneficiary, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) \u2013 split between the EWT Sniffer Dog Programme and the EWT Bearded Vulture Captive Breeding Programme on a 50\/50 basis.<\/p>\n
Then just over a week later the Fedauto Sani Dragon in association with Mortimer Toyota then sees Underberg, Himeville and surrounds welcome a gathering of elite and social cyclists to the region on Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October for the two-stage Sani Dragon and Sani Dragon Lite MTB events.<\/p>\n
Taking place during the annual Underberg Farmer\u2019s Association (UFA) Agricultural Show, the Sani Dragon starts and finishes at the UFA Showgrounds just outside Himeville daily.<\/p>\n
The opening day incorporates some of the most scenic district roads, jeep tracks and single track in the Underberg & Himeville area, paving the way for day two\u2019s unique highlight \u2013 the opportunity to summit the renowned Sani Pass.<\/p>\n
Compared to the Sani Dragon\u2019s approximate 60km daily distances, the Sani Dragon Lite offers participants a shorter, 40km per day option that on day two goes to the SA Border Post without going all the way up Sani Pass.<\/p>\n
The 2016 Rhino Peak Challenge takes place on World Rhino Day on Thursday 22 September. Participation is by invitation only however pledges can be submitted and more information found at www.rhinopeakchallenge.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n