Touched by the vital yet often under-resourced work of SANParks Honorary Rangers, Leona Lamont will be channelling her love for long-distance running to support all they do for rhinos, wildlife and our parks!
Durban, South Africa (25 March 2025) – Durban resident and runner Leona Lamont has marked off the 8th of June on her calendar as D-day to run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban for a cause that she couldn’t support – the SANParks Honorary Rangers!
After learning about her mission, we connected with this avid runner who is excited to feed her love for long-distance running while raising funds for volunteers who are passionate about nature and dedicated to supporting the South African National Parks.
“I first came into contact with the honorary rangers last year when I had entered an Amanzimtoti road race and they gave me their pamphlet.
“I was super intrigued when I discovered their desperate need for money to combat poaching of rhino horns. I was quite taken back at everything that they need, including tents to sleep in, backpacks to track with, binoculars and such. Then there is also the fuel required for the helicopter for their Ivory Project,” shares Leona.
After being awakened to the great needs of these heroes of the bush, Leona has felt compelled to contribute to their efforts in the best way she knows how – through a fundraiser and her running shoes!
Leona’s love for running was inherited from her father, who sadly passed away two years ago.
As a member of the Yellowwood Park Athletic Club and the Stainbank Nature Reserve, she spends most of her weekends on the road, covering anything from 20km to 30km. Closer to the Comrades date, Leona and a local group of runners do the Pietermaritzburg-Camperdown-Hillcrest route over three days.
“The friends we meet along the way, the spirit of the runners I could never not run,” Leona reflects.
Motivated for this year’s personally and uniquely impactful edition for SANParks Rangers, Leona reflects:
“Sometimes I run to challenge myself, other times I run to remember my dad. And now I run to raise money for the parks. Without people like us, supporting their work, where would they get the finance?”
To support her charity run, visit the Comrades Marathon donations page here.
Sources: Nothando Mthembu | Leona Lamont
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