Media Release
One of South Africa's longest running and most highly-regarded trail running events, the Rhodes Trail Run, has signed leading global logistics provider UTi as their new title sponsor, organizers announced today. The extreme 52km run, that starts in sub-zero conditions from the Victorian-era hamlet of Rhodes and has participants plunging through freezing ice-melt rivers and crunching through snow in thin air at altitude along the Lesotho border, will be called the UTi Rhodes Trail Run for the 24th edition to be run on Saturday 14 July 2012.
"UTi is thrilled to become title sponsor of the iconic Rhodes Trail Run" commented George van der Merwe, Director of UTi Distribution.
"UTi has been the Rhodes Trail Run official logistics partner for a number of years and when the opportunity arose to secure title sponsorship we were extremely enthusiastic".
"UTi Distribution is Southern Africa's largest and most respected distribution company and there is no doubt that the Rhodes Trail Run is Southern Africa's most respected trail run, which makes for a really good fit"
"Over the past 23 years Rhodes has proven to be a truly outstanding and challenging event that not only provides trail runners with an extraordinary experience but also contributes significantly to the local community, especially providing educational support for the children in this remote part of the country.
"This fits very well with our community engagement, the UTi Charitable Foundation, which chooses projects that primarily relate to children and education"
"We are proud to partner with UTi as our title sponsor," says Port Elizabeth based race director Evie Raubenheimer, "UTi is an exceptional organisation and their involvement with our event goes back many years so it's fantastic to have them on board at this level."
