Run Charles Run!
- Aug 9
- 4 min read
Charles, our very own Conservation Ambassador, takes on the 230km ForRangers Ultra-marathon, raising funds and awareness for rangers and rhinos.
From 7 to 11 September 2026, Loisaba's Conservation Ambassador Charles Berrington will take on the ForRangers Ultra — a 230km, self-supported race run in five stages across the wildlife conservancies of Laikipia, Kenya, in partnership with ForRangers and Save the Rhino International.
She's doing it to raise awareness and funds for the rangers who protect this landscape, including Loisaba's own ranger and K9 teams.
We sat down with Charles ahead of race week to find out more.
Q: What does being Loisaba's Conservation Ambassador mean to you?
Charles: “I believe communication is one of the most powerful tools we have in conservation. It has the ability to inspire action, bring people together and create real change.
I'm incredibly proud to be part of the Loisaba team, helping to shine a light on the amazing work happening here and raising the awareness, funding and long-term financial support needed to protect these landscapes, wildlife and local communities for years to come.”
Q: What made you want to become Loisaba's Conservation Ambassador?
Charles: “As Jane Goodall said; ‘The greatest danger to our future is apathy.’ I believe we all have the ability to make a difference, and becoming Loisaba’s Conservation Ambassador was my way of taking action.
I have always felt deeply connected to the natural world and passionate about protecting wild landscapes and the species that depend on them.
Loisaba represents everything I believe conservation should be. It's a place where protecting wildlife goes hand in hand with supporting local communities, restoring landscapes and investing in education. You can see how every donation and every partnership creates lasting impact, building a future where people and nature thrive together.
Through this role, I hope to tell the stories of the incredible people on the frontline of conservation, raise awareness, inspire support and secure the long-term funding needed to protect this extraordinary landscape, its wildlife and the communities that call it home.”
Q: Tell us about the ForRangers Ultra. What does the race actually involve?
Charles: “The ForRangers Ultra is a self-supported 230km ultramarathon split into five stages over five days, taking us through some of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife conservancies in the shadow of Mount Kenya. The route starts at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and finishes at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
As runners, we carry everything we need for the challenge — food, sleeping gear, medical supplies and clothing — with access to drinking water at checkpoints approximately every 10km. Each night, we sleep in tents in the bush, surrounded by the landscapes and wildlife and under the watchful eye of the rangers we are raising funds to support.
The race is organised by Beyond the Ultimate in partnership with Save the Rhino International and ForRangers. It is an incredibly demanding physical challenge, but for me the real purpose is to raise awareness and vital funds for the rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting Africa’s wildlife.”
Q: Why this race, and why now?
Charles: “You only get one shot at opportunities like this, and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take part.
It is not your traditional “three Rs” — but it brings together three things I care deeply about: running, rhinos and raising awareness for the rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting them.
This challenge gives me a unique opportunity to push myself physically while using that journey to shine a light on the incredible people working on the frontline of conservation. Every step is about supporting the rangers who make it possible for species like rhinos to have a future.”
Q: What has training looked like?
Charles: “ Running, running... and more running!
I'm lucky to have two brilliant training partners. The first is my husband, Cliff, who has supported me every step of the way, and is also taking on the entire event, by my side.
The second is a 10kg bag of jasmine rice, which I carry in my pack on my long training runs to get used to hauling all my food and supplies for five days. My children have affectionately nicknamed it 'White Shadow', we've become strangely inseparable!”
Q: What's the hardest part going to be?
Charles: “ Probably the start of day two. Waking up cold, tired and stiff in a tent, knowing I still have another four marathons ahead of me will be a huge mental challenge.
However, I know that discomfort is temporary, and I also know that for many rangers, facing both dangerous and difficult conditions and pushing through exhaustion is their everyday reality.
When the kilometres feel impossible, I'll remind myself of the incredible men and women who stand on the frontline protecting our wildlife every day. They are the reason I'm doing this, and their courage will keep me moving forward.”
Q: Where does the money you raise actually go?
Charles: “Funds raised go directly to ForRangers, which since 2015 has provided over $5 million worth of kit, equipment and training to more than 3,000 rangers across sub-Saharan Africa, alongside 1,200 life insurance policies.”
Q: How can people support you?
Charles: “The biggest way people can support me is by donating and sharing the message.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will help provide vital support to the rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting Africa’s wildlife.
Beyond fundraising, simply helping to raise awareness is incredibly powerful. Share the story, talk about the work rangers do, and help shine a light on the people who stand between these species and extinction.
Together, we can help ensure rangers have the equipment and resources they need to continue protecting wildlife for generations to come.
Thank you for supporting me, the rangers and all the team here at Loisaba.”
SUPPORT CHARLES RUNNING FOR RANGERS AND RHINOS
Charles will be sharing updates on Instagram, Facebook and X. To follow her progress or make a donation please click here: https://forrangersultra2026.enthuse.com/pf/charles-berrington
Charles running 230km across Kenya for rangers and rhinos is seriously impressive. I had no idea the race was self-supported with all your gear on your back. I found more details on the ForRangers route through Krillion and it sounds like a tough but meaningful challenge.
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