G4S Karura Cross Country Challenge Launch
28 June 2011
Over 600 participants are expected to grace the inaugural G4S Karura Cross Country Challenge organized by G4S Kenya in partnership with Friends of Karura Forest,FKF).
28th June 2011…….Over 600 participants are expected to grace the inaugural G4S Karura Cross Country Challenge organized by Safety and Risk Management Solutions provider G4S Kenya in partnership with Friends of Karura Forest, (FKF).
The challenge scheduled to be held on 30th July 2011 at the Karura Forest Reserve, features three races; a 16km “Mau Mau Trail”, 9km “Trail of Fire” and a 5km “Corporate Challenge.”
Apart from being a fun family event, G4S Kenya is organizing the race to raise awareness and financial support for the conservation efforts of Karura Forest.
Previously, the forest made headlines for all the wrong reasons; this was primarily owing to instances of crime and land-grabbing.However Friends of Karura Forest Association in partnership with, the Kenya Forest have initiated a number of conservation efforts for securing this key natural resource.
“This is one of the resource mobilization activities we’ve come up with. The money raised will be used to fund the Karura Forest’s activities that will see the place converted to a safe eco-friendly place. For this reason, we appeal to other companies to support this noble initiative,” said Adam Miller, G4S Regional Managing Director, during the launch of the challenge.
The organizers have a target of Sh20 million which will be used to improve various infrastructure; in particular around the waterfalls and caves, building a mountain bike trail and obstacle course in Sigiria, equipping scouts with a radio system to improve security and safety in the forest, fencing the KFS headquarters as well as building a bird walk and picnic sites.
There will also be an attractive purse for the athletes with the top male and female runners in the “Mau Mau Trail” 16km race winning Sh50, 000 each and second placed male and female runners earning Sh25, 000 each. In the 9km “Trail of Fire”, the top male and female runners will get Sh25,000 each with Sh10,000 each going to the second placed male and female athletes.
In addition to resource mobilization and organizing the challenge, G4S has also come on board as a key FKF partner offering professional services. G4S will offer at no cost an, ‘Events Coordinator.’
The Coordinator will help with all matters related to events and security in the forest. These entail deployment of guards at the 4 entry gates into the forest, emergency response services in case of fire or incidents, and an alarm response service at the Kenya Forest Environmental Education Trust (KFEET) Centre.Mr Miller, who will run in the challenge said; “We recognize that our business activities have a direct and indirect impact on the natural environment, and we remain committed to managing and minimizing those impacts in a responsible manner. G4S recognizes the threat to Karura forest and the community that benefits from this natural resource.”
“For this reason, G4S has partnered with Friends of Karura Forest which gives us an opportunity to secure not only this important ecosystem but a play a leading role in resource mobilization that will see Karura realize its vision.” he added. Applications for each of the races in the G4S Karura Cross Country Challenge will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Individuals will be charged Sh1, 000, while corporate entry is Sh50, 000 (Team of 10). Gate entry free for non-participants is free.
Former World Marathon Champion, Douglas Wakiihuri, said the event is a great initiative to help Kenyans and other residents of the country both keep fit and help conserve the environment.
“I, myself, train in Karura Forest and I’ve seen tremendous improvement of the natural resource and would encourage many people to turn up for the race on July 30,” said Wakiihuri, Kenya’s first winner of the London Marathon in 1989.
Participants can register online by visiting www.g4s-karurachallenge.com . Thereafter, they’ll be required to remit the money via M-Pesa or by visiting designated G4S offices. Corporate sponsors will draw cheques in favour of Friends of Karura Forest. The website & M-Pesa will be live from next week.
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About G4S
G4S is the world's leading security solutions group, which specialises in outsourcing of business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat. G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. G4S has operations in more than 110 countries and more than 595,000 employees. For more information on G4S, visit www.g4s.com.