Help Conserve The Coastline With Leon Kriel and DICT

An Xplorio team member recently spoke with videographer Leon Kriel about the upcoming Pearly2Point Running Challenge, taking place from the 23rd to the 25th of September 2022.

What is the Pearly2Point Running Challenge?

The Pearly2Point Running Challenge is a three-day running event along the stretch of coastline from Kleinbaai to the southernmost tip of Africa in LÁgulhas.

What is the inspiration behind this challenge?

I’ve wanted to hike the spectacular stretch of coastline since my school days. I’ve already attempted the route twice but never made it. This time, I decided to run the distance in three days and combine the challenge with a fundraising incentive. 

Who is your challenge aimed at helping?

After approaching Spill-Tech to ask if I could help them with donations, they pointed me in the direction of John Kieser of PlasticsSA. John was very excited about my idea and introduced me to the team at Dyer Island Conservation Trust. From here on everything fell into place and I started planning the Pearly2Point Running Challenge.

What is the event in aid of?

The challenge is an incentive to help create awareness around the devastation fishing lines cause the precious marine life in our oceans. At the same time, the Pearly2Point Running Challenge hopes to raise much-needed funds for Kleinbaai-based Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s Fishing Line Recovery and Recycling Programme.

How have you financed the challenge?

I am self-funding my expenses but have received so many generous donations from the public for which I am grateful. A few I can mention off the bat include Velvet Cake Co which sponsored my running shirts, Hungry Hiker which is donating food and the Xplorio team who is assisting with online marketing.

How many runners are taking part?

At this stage, only three runners are attempting the challenge. This includes Craig Joubert, Johan Aldrich and myself. We hear there are a few more runners interested in joining so we are excited to see what happens.

What must people do to join?

Anyone who wants to join us can. You can run all the way or keep us company for a few hours, whatever blows your hair back. Our base camp will be at Die Dam and those who want to camp with us and run at our slow pace are welcome to join. Alternatively, I can point participants to more comfortable lodgings in the area.

Any plans to make this a permanent fixture on the running calendar?

I am thinking of making it an annual event and seeing it grow into an official fundraising event where people can enter and run the route. For now, I am just testing the water and seeing what is possible. The emphasis is on having fun while raising awareness for Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s work in protecting our oceans. Although, right now, I’m not sure that 85km over three days will be a lot of fun. Ha ha. Watch this space!

Can people donate money to the cause?

Yes, each donation is greatly appreciated and will go a long way to raising awareness and generating resources to manage more fishing line collection points along South Africa’s coastline. Your donation of only R50 can go a long way in protecting our turtles, penguins, dolphins, seals, sharks, whales and other marine life.

How to Donate

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/donate/champion/dict