NEWS RELEASE                                                                                         14 February 2001

MEDIA URGED TO TAKE ON CHEETAH'S CHALLENGE

Media industry athletes have been urged to turn words into action and run in a bid to beat the best in the third annual Cheetah's Challenge, to be held from The River Club in Observatory on Wednesday 21 February.

It is expected that a great many Capetonians will turn out to compete with well-known local runners for line honours and various cash prizes in the worthy cause to save endangered species and promote greater environmental awareness in this region.

But they're not the only ones out to set new records. Undoubtedly the star attraction at this increasingly popular event is going to be Nyana Spier, the cheetah, sprinting 100m to beat the 6,6 seconds world record set recently by his brother in California.

The off road 5km fun run/walk and 10km Cheetah's Challenge routes will take runners, joggers and walkers through some of the unspoiled natural and historic areas attendant to the Raapenberg Wetlands and the Liesbeeck and Black Rivers, the astronomical observatory and will pass through the grounds of Valkenberg Hospital.

Family and school groups are also being urged to join in this increasingly popular event. The broader environmental awareness message of "racing against species extinction" is supported by many experts well versed in the study and conservation of various animal, reptile, bird and plant species who will be on hand with interactive displays and a variety of live creatures.

"This will provide an excellent opportunity for youngsters to interact with some of the more threatened creatures resident in our region," said City of Cape Town executive councillor (Planning and Environment), Brian Watkyns.

"The inescapable fact is that as necessary economic development and urban growth increasingly put pressure on our environmental resources, so do a number of species of animal and plant life face extinction on our own doorstep here in the City of Cape Town. We urgently need to raise public awareness and this fun event is a proactive step in the right direction," said Councillor Watkyns.

A portion of the race entry fees are contributed to Cheetah Outreach who do fund raising for the Cheetah Conservation Fund

Race participants can contact the race secretary on 938 0476 or 0827807439 for more information

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