Dave Chamberlain is running 50 marathons in 50 days leading up to the 50th Two Oceans Marathon all to raise awareness for BirdLife South Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa – Dave Chamberlain, in collaboration with BirdLife South Africa, has embarked on a journey to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Two Oceans Marathon, but with a twist.
Dave started running 50 consecutive ultramarathons on the 2nd March leading up to his last of 50, the 50th Anniversary of the Two Oceans Marathon on 20 April 2019. He is doing this all in aid of BirdLife South Africa’s African Penguin relocation project.
‘The Two Oceans Marathon has a reputation for being the most scenic ultramarathon where one can experience the connection between the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans as they border the Cape Peninsula. BirdLife South Africa is currently undertaking an ambitious project to save the African Penguin from extinction by establishing new colonies in the Indian Ocean.’
According to BirdLife SA, the colonies along the Atlantic west coast are failing due to a shift in food distribution from the west coast to the south. It is their hope to relocate the colonies through the use of decoy penguin models, placed strategically along quiet safe beaches.
Most seabirds breed in colonies and will only do so if they feel safe. They won’t breed without the presence of other birds. These decoys fool birds into thinking that other individuals are already breeding there. This method has been successful in other parts of the world which is why it is being implemented in South Africa.
BirdLife SA thinks this shift in food has likely been caused by changing environmental conditions exacerbated by localised fishing pressure. This massive change has had a direct impact on the African Penguin population. One of the solutions is to create new colonies on the south coast, in areas of high food abundance.
“There is a natural union between The Two Oceans Marathon and The African Penguin Relocation Project to create awareness for this cause,” said Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa.
“If successful, this could very well be the saving grace for this species,” he continued.
Dave is raising funds for BirdLife South Africa’s African Penguin Project. To join BirdLife South Africa in its race to relocate the African Penguin, you can donate towards every run completed in the 49 days prior to the final 50th Anniversary Two Oceans Marathon at www.505050.org.
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By raising the necessary funds, BirdLife South Africa will be able to carry out this project and achieve a successful creation of African Penguin colonies to secure their future.
We wish you the best of luck on your remaining runs Dave. Today is his 11th run towards the goal, you can follow his daily progress on the website linked above.
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