09/15/2026
On Saturday, the 19th September, ranger teams across Africa's protected areas take on the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, run by Tusk Trust in partnership with the Game Rangers Association of Africa. It's a series of mental and physical tests: a wildlife quiz, push-ups, sit-ups, a time trial, building up to a 21km race carried out in full kit, 22kg for the men, 10kg for the women.
The point of it isn't just the race. It's about recognition, for a profession that carries enormous responsibility and gets very little visibility. Rangers patrol vast and often dangerous terrain, monitor wildlife populations, respond to poaching threats, and work directly with the communities who live alongside the parks they protect. Most of that work happens quietly, far from any camera.
This year, Friends of Hwange Trust has entered two full teams, four men and four women, who will be racing the half-marathon against other ranger teams in the area. They've already shown what they're made of; their women's team came second in the sit-up challenge, with 293 sit-ups in two minutes.
Friends of Hwange is entirely donor-funded, and this year's goal is USD 25,000 to go toward field communications equipment, patrol gear, and ranger salaries- the basics that make it possible for this team to do their job well.
If this is something you care about, there are a few ways to help. Run or walk your own distance on Saturday in solidarity. Donate: whatever you can give makes a difference. Share this with someone who'd want to know about it, and tag .
Donate here: https://us.list-manage.com/115o6wRKAlM?e=2b56d43bfa&c2id=55b684c0f4289639c3608762bd7ed1e9
