Thu 25 Sep 2008
Posted by Meg under Attractions , International Travel , Nature , Sports
This Saturday, 1000 gorillas will run through the streets of London, in what is quite possibly the coolest charity race ever. Great Gorillas is a non-profit organization working to protect all species of gorilla from the looming threat of extinction.
Starting in London in 2003, there have been Great Gorilla Runs each year — 7km races where every participant wears a gorilla costume. It’s a funny, light-hearted event for a very serious cause. This year, there will be more runners in the London race than there are mountain gorillas in the entire world (720).
Money raised in the Great Gorilla races — over £1 million to date — goes to help the impoverished people of West and Central Africa so they don’t have to mine and farm in gorilla habitats to earn a living.
The Great Gorilla Run expanded to San Francisco in 2007, and future runs are planned for New York, Amsterdam, and China. The 7km London run is an annual event that takes runners through some of the city’s most famous landmarks. I wonder if those stoic guards at Buckingham Palace can keep a straight face when 1000 people dressed as gorillas come jogging by.
In addition to the races, the charity offers a trip called The Great Gorilla Adventure. The 10-day itinerary gets you up close with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the proceeds benefit conservation efforts.
It’s not too late to register for this weekend’s run. If you’re already in London, click here to sign up. They’ll even provide your gorilla suit!