The two famous young rhino conservationists of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) held their second Run4Rhino Fun Run the past weekend.

The two 12-year-olds, Casper-John Venter and Marco Marcos, both students of Ridgeway Independent School, also participated in the event. They also played host to Rico, the rhino-horn sniffer dog, and his handler and trainer Etienne Taylor.

Rico and Etienne also participated in the 5km race in the Hanglip Forest. For the kiddies there was a 2km race.

This year was the second time that Casper-John and Marco held their fun run to raise funds for Rico. They started their project in 2011, with the aim to save the rhinoceros from becoming extinct because of poachers.

Rico is part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) strategy to screen cargo to detect illegal rhino horns going through the OR Tambo international airport.  On Saturday, before the race kicked off, Rico gave participants a demonstration of his incredible smelling ability. Marco and Casper-John also talked a little about the ever-increasing rhino poaching that South Africa is currently facing. As part of their fundraising project they are also selling handmade beaded rhino bracelets, as well as anti-poaching T-shirts. 

The duo thanked everyone who had supported their fun run, and expressed the hope to see everybody again next year. They raised a total of R1 425 on Saturday.

The EWT also sponsored some of the goody bags and prizes of the category winners. In the age category three- to five-year-old boys (2km), Jaco Erasmus finished first, and Lieve Rennings was the first girl in the same category.

In the six- to nine-year-old category (5km) the first, second and third boys were, Hugo Rennings, Herman Veldtman and Pepijn Rennings respectively. The top three girls were Bianca Venter, Mieca Veldman and Michelle Venter.

In the 10- to 13-year-old category (5km) for boys, Casper-John was first, followed by Juan Smalle and Koos Erasmus Jnr. The first three girls were Emlyn Foord, Cara Joubert and Cherise Henning.

The first high school boys, also in the 5km race, were Justin Tshirando, Xin Wang and Johan Erasmus. Jess Henning was the first girl, followed by Nicola Foord and Leigh McGaffin. 

The first adult male to cross the line in the 5km race was Mike Henning, followed by Vincent Chasserieau and Johan van Dijkhorst. Annette Rennings was the first adult woman to cross the finishing line, followed by Suzan Malima and Izelle Briers.