Running for Saigas

The saiga is a critically endangered antelope of Central Asia. It is also a relict of the ice age fauna that included mammoths and sabre tooth cats. Sadly, in recent years, saiga antelopes have been poached ruthlessly for their horns - highly prized items in traditional Chinese medicine. Due to such poaching, saiga numbers recently declined by a devastating 95% in just 15 years.

I am running my first half-marathon for the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) to raise money for this wonderful animal. I am specifically running for the SCA because it is one of my favourite conservation organisations - the SCA is not only successful in its efforts to conserve wildlife, but firmly committed to implementing conservation in a way that positively affects local people. Please check out the video below to see one of the SCAs most recent projects, in which a UK-based wildlife artist travelled to Uzbekistan to engage with local children and paint a mural depicting Central Asian wildlife.

Running this race will be a big challenge for me: for the past 5-6 years I have not been able to run because of severe shin splits and I had actually given up on my dream of running a marathon. Miraculously, I am finally able to run again. The saiga antelope is one of the world's fastest animals (50mph), so I thought I could help to keep the saiga alive and running while I chase after my own dreams. Any support is greatly appreciated!