Powerade Race For The River Media Release

 r4tr1006

23 Jan 2010

Powerade Race For The River
Durban - Ultra athletes Andrew King and Devlin Fogg staggered in the finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi on Saturday afternoon to a heroes welcome, having become the first athletes to carry their kayak the entire length of the race.

The gutsy duo completed the Powerade Race For The River to raise awareness of the ecological pressures being experienced in the uMsindisi and uMngeni valleys, and the critical work being done by the Dusi uMngeni Conservancy Trust (DUCT) to clean up these river systems.

"After a total of 25 hours and 135km on the road in three days we're officially shattered," said Fogg. "Thanks to the support and encouragement we've received throughout our route we've managed to remain positive and focus on the overall goal, but it's great to be home."

While his aching feet were receiving medical attention Fogg was enthusiastic about their achievement. "It has given us a completely new perspective on the valleys that play host to the Hansa Powerade Dusi. We have seen how the rivers touch the lives of every person who lives in the valleys, and this underscores the importance of the message behind what we have achieved."

King was quick to agree. "Our blisters will heal, but I sincerely hope that long after they do we will leave a legacy of an open channel of communication between the paddlers and DUCT via their hotline 033 345 7571. DUCT is doing a brilliant job but they need the eyes and ears of every person who uses the valley."

"We are elated by the response we have received from the public over the past three days!" said King. "The fact that we had a few golfers stop their game to come over and show support just shows that this journey has reached many people and that is what this is all about."

The Powerade Race For the River team spent some time engaged in an animated discussion with residents of Kwadabeka who have been enthusiastically working as volunteers to clean up the tributary that runs through their neighbourhood and into the uMngeni river.

"Their efforts are all part of the bold Green Corridor programme that is a collaboration between the City's Department of Economic Development and DUCT," said Fogg. "The vision is to restore the entire uMngeni river basin to a pristine environment that can be enjoyed by everyone who lives here, and become a major tourist attraction as well."

Powerade's Lanya Stanek was one of the first to congratulate the pioneering extreme athletes in the sweltering Durban heat and humidity. "They needed the rehydration that Powerade offers to put the right ingredients and fluids back into their bodies to enable them to function to their full sporting potential. I am very proud of what they have achieved."

"The message from the entire exercise is clear," Stanek added. "This great race needs the uMsindusi and uMngeni rivers to free of pollutants to continue to deliver this unique sporting spectacle. Much like the human body, these two rivers work on a delicate ecosystem and it is necessary to reduce the amount of toxins in the river for it to function at its best."

ENDS

Thumbnail image	Caption	Photographer credit	Download
	Powerade Race For the River Logo -  on Blue
	GPS tracked route followed by Andrew King and Devlin Fogg on day three of the Powerade Race For The River in the 2010 Hansa Powerade Dusi
	The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew King and Devlin Fogg (centre) get a warm welcome from the residents of the Inanda dam valley on Day Three of the 2010 Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	Devlin Fogg who forms part of the Powerade Race For The River leaves Inanda dam on Day Three of the Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	Andrew King who forms part of the Powerade Race For The River smiles back at the long slog they have just endured up Burma Road en route to the finish of the 2010 Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	From left - Dusi icons Michael Mbanjwa and Ant Stott join the crew of Andrew King and Devlin Fogg behind the Powerade Race For The River on Intersite Avenue in Springfield Park en route to the finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	DUCT spokesperson Andrew Booth (right) joins Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew King (right) and Devlin Fogg on the outskirts of Windsor Golf course mere meters from their finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	Powerade's Lanya Stanek welcomes home Andrew King (left) and Devlin Fogg of Powerade Race For The River at the finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
	DUCT spokesperson Andrew Booth (centre) congratulates Andrew King (left) and Devlin Fogg of Powerade Race For The River at the finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi.	Samantha Thompson/ Gameplan Media
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