NEWS RELEASE                                                                                         20 February 2001

RECORD TURNOUT EXPECTED FOR CHEETAH'S CHALLENGE

Organisers expect the third annual Cheetah's Challenge 10km race and 5km fun run, hosted by the City of Cape Town, to be staged at The River Club in Observatory on Wednesday 21 February, to enjoy even greater public and media support than in previous years.

City of Cape Town Mayor, Councillor Peter Marais, has added his voice in a call to all for communities to join in the experience. "All Capetonians need to share responsibility for the integrity of our natural heritage," he said."This is a fun way to show we care."

Athletes and local government officials have hailed the Cheetah's Challenge as a premium event in support of the worthy cause of promoting greater environmental awareness in the City of Cape Town. In particular, the event focuses on threatened species endemic to this area.The star attraction will be the cheetah, Nyana Spier, running flat out to beat the 100 metre world of 6.6 seconds set recently by his brother in California.

The off road 5km fun run 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, the astronomical observatory and the Liesbeeck and Black Rivers and will pass through the grounds of Valkenberg Hospital.

City of Cape Town's Interim Planning Co-ordinator, David Daniels and Stephen Granger, Head of the Environmental Management Department of the CMC administration, have taken up the challenge and will be participating in the race against species extinction.

Spot prizes donated by local companies - including amongst others, sports shoes from New Balance, Waterfront Charters boat trips, gift vouchers from Cavendish Square, Blue Route Shopping Mall, Spur Steak Ranches and 7-Eleven stores, as well as Artscape Theatre, Two Oceans Aquarium and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company tickets - will be awarded to participants, while schools that enter stand to win the coveted floating Cheetah's Trophy and educational prizes.

"We're especially pleased with confirmation that a number of leading local runners and various corporate teams - including a couple of local radio stations - will be joining the event," said Exco Councillor, Brian Watkyns.

But the afternoon is expected to attract a larger than usual number of school and family groups as well. To help give the broader environmental awareness message substance, experts well versed in the study and conservation of various animal, reptile and bird species will be on hand with interactive exhibits and a variety of live creatures, some of which are now threatened with extinction in this region.

Those interested in participating in this conservation worthy, fun occasion can contact the race secretary, Vera Arendse on 082 780 7439 for more information.

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