Rhino Boy Runs Rings Around London

On Sunday 26th April 2009 Atlantic Relocation employee Chris Green, 33, will be attempting to run exactly 26 miles and 385 yards, dressed as a rhinoceros. In attempting this incredible caper, he hopes to raise over £2000 for the charity Save the Rhino.

Having run Marathon Mt Blanc in 2008, Chris wasn’t content with the challenge presented by the Flora London Marathon in 2009, and so decided to mix it up a bit. “I couldn’t walk for days after the Mt Blanc marathon, and every year my wife says “maybe this one should be your last, eh?” but every year I keep coming back for more, and every year I seem to make it that much harder for myself. Running as a rhino seemed like a really fun idea, and I knew it would make the race that much more interesting physically – and it presented a really good way to raise awareness for the charity and have some fun.”

So as the race day looms closer, is Chris still full of optimism? “Well, I have to say I have woken up on a few very early mornings and dragged myself out of bed for training, and all that’s running through my head is “What was I thinking!?”. The suit is huge - I actually only saw it after I’d already agreed to run in it. I put it on and ran round the block a few times, and was exhausted! It’s very awkward to run in. I don’t have access to the suit until the 25th April, so to prepare for the race I’m running in lots of layers to try and simulate the conditions of the day. I guess my biggest concern on the day is the weather. Normally marathon runners don’t mind if it rains a little bit because the cold shower is refreshing, but my suit is made of a spongy material that just soaks up the water, so if it rains it will get even heavier and more cumbersome, and I may struggle.”

So after a gruelling 26 miles and 100 yards, Birdcage Walk – the final straight – will be a sight for sore eyes, not to mention sore legs and lungs. But Chris is confident that it will be worth it. “I’d like to use the suit to entertain the crowds and get them thinking about the plight of the rhino. In the past I’ve always run for Cancer research because I lost my mum to Cancer, but I know that she loved animals and she’d want me to spread the love around. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Africa and see the rhino, and I want to do my bit to help organisations like Save the Rhino ensure that future generations will have the same opportunity.”

Save the Rhino International works to conserve rhinos in Africa and Asia, and with three out of the five species of rhino classed as critically endangered, they certainly need all the help they can get. By funding field projects and through education, Save the Rhino work to conserve rhino populations and other endangered species and ecosystems, whilst delivering material benefits to the communities that share their environment with the rhino.

With such a worthy cause, Chris insists that this year his targets are nothing to do with race times. “My best ever time is 3.41. But this year my main goal is to raise awareness, and of course raise the cash – the time is incidental really. Every year Atlantic sponsor me to race, and this year they’ve very generously offered £1000, which I’d like to double with other donations. The support I’ve had so far has been incredible and loads of people are coming down to support me, including lots of work colleagues from Atlantic, and my family.”

A veteran runner, this year’s Flora London Marathon will be Chris’ 13th marathon since his running career began Stateside in 1999 with the New York race. Luckily for Chris, he’s not superstitious.

More information:

To help Chris, aka Rhino Boy, reach his target go to www.justgiving.com/chrisgreen14

For more information on Chris’ race, please contact:

Atlantic Press Office
Jemma Baker, Atlantic Corporate Relocation Ltd
Tel. +44(0)7771 670 200
Email: jemma.baker@atlantic-relocation.com

For more information on Save the Rhino:

Laurence Smith, Save The Rhino
Tel. +44(0)207 357 7474
Email: laurence@savetherhino.org

Or visit www.savetherhino.org.

Please call +44 (0) 1932 226 666 or email for more information.