NEWS RELEASE                                                                                   9 February 2001

SUPERFAST FELINE RACING AT CAPE METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION'S 2001 CHEETAH'S CHALLENGE

The Cape Metropolitan Administration's annual 5km fun run and 10km Cheetah's Challenge will held at the River Club in Observatory, on Wednesday February 21st, at 16h00. This will coincide with the 2001 Cheetah Challenge, when a member of Spier's popular cheetah team will attempt to demolish the 6,6 cheetah 100m world record recently set in California.

The Cape Metropolitan Administration's fun run and Cheetah's Challenge (initiated by the former Cape Metropolitan Council) is held annually, to promote a more enthusiastic awareness of the environment we live in within the Cape Metropolitan area. The 10km race will be aimed at more serious athletes, and will also offer a number of cash and other prizes. The 5km fun run/fun walk will be ideal for the whole family, and those keen on a little exercise.

From the River Club the race will follow beautifully scenic nature routes, passing some historical sites and buildings on the way, in part over paved surfaces through the grounds of the Valkenberg Hospital, but also cross-country through the Raapenberg Wetlands and along the Liesbeeck and Black rivers.

Mr Peter Tomalin, the Cape Metropolitan administration's executive director of Planning, Environment and Housing, explains: "We want to remind all Capetonians that we are living in a magnificent natural world. Within the Cape Metropolitan Area we can still claim as our own a dazzling variety of flora and fauna. Although nature is thriving on Table Mountain and on the Tygerberg Hills, even in some areas on the Cape Flats, it is fighting a desperate battle in our suburbs and townships, trying to survive despite pollution and human ignorance, or should we say indifference."

"The Cheetah's Challenge and fun run will give participants a rare opportunity to enjoy a close up view of some of our seldom seen areas, where nature is still flourishing in an amazing diversity. Amongst the thriving bird population in the wetlands, runners are bound to come across are swarms of migratory birds, many the descendants of some of Cape Town's very first tourists."

"We want to invite all Capetonians, their families and friends, to come and have fun at the River Club on February 21st, even if they themselves don't run. They can witness the Cheetah Challenge and also participate in entertaining interactive displays, while youngsters will have the chance to touch rare Cape tortoises, stroke a Spier cheetah or, if they should be really brave, maybe caress a snake or two. They should know that they don't to be fit to be part of the fun, they must just be there."

For more information for race participants, please can contact WPARR race info line 434 3012

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