Apes are running London!
Added: (Wed Aug 20 2008)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Apes are running London!
Apes across the land are currently limbering up for the celebrated Great Gorilla Run 2008, which sees hundreds of people dressed in monkey suits and pounding the pavements of London to help save the world’s last remaining Gorillas
They may train under cover of darkness, but Saturday 27 September looks set to see a World Record-breaking gathering of gorillas going ape for a day! And if that wasn’t hairy enough, this band of monkeys will walk, jog or run the 7K course in their best fancy dress to create an incredible spectacle in their quest to save a species.
Always up for an adventure; Go Ape, the UK’s award-winning High Wire Forest Adventure company and sponsor of the Great Gorilla Run, has gathered a tribe of around 70 customers and staff to embark on the challenge that takes them on a journey through some of the capital’s most famous scenery. Marcus Falconer, Marketing Manager for Go Ape says: “Go Ape is a passionate supporter of this incredible event established by The Gorilla Organization, an international charity dedicated to saving the world’s last remaining gorillas from extinction. Many of us are running and we are proud to be part of this historic event so there has been much chest-thumping from the Go Ape tribe, but we want more Go Ape Great Gorilla Runners to join us, it’s the best laugh you’ll have in a hairy suit!”
British champion Sally Gunnell OBE also supports this year’s event. As the only woman ever to hold four major track titles concurrently; Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth, Sally has met many challenges, but the plight of the Mountain Gorillas has had a profound effect: "Meeting wild gorillas face-to-face in Rwanda was an incredible experience - one I will never forget. They are amazing creatures and it is so sad to think that unless we all do our bit to help, they may one day be extinct. The Great Gorilla Run is a fantastic way for people to get involved with gorilla conservation, raise lots of money and of course have a good time - so please, if you can, register for the Great Gorilla Run and do your bit for the gorillas!" Sally Gunnell will take to the trees at Go Ape, Alice Holt Forest in Surrey, on Thursday 28th August for a photo call at 12-noon.
This year’s Great Gorilla Run is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever, as Abi Girling from the Gorilla Organization, reveals: "Each year the Great Gorilla Run gets better and better, and this year promises to be the best yet. Never, in the history of the Great Gorilla Run have we had so many people registered. We are on target to break a World Record for ‘the largest gathering of people dressed as gorillas’ and raise well over £250,000 for the endangered species. The current world record stands at 637. We already have over 500 sign ups – a good proportion through Go Ape! – and we are on track to break the World Record and meet our target of 720 gorilla runners - one for every Mountain Gorilla left in the wild.”
Get on the Great Gorilla Run 2008?
On your marks… Sign up now for the Great Gorilla Run 2008 taking place on Saturday on 27 September, you can run, jog or walk the seven kilometres (4.3 miles), visit goape.co.uk and greatgorillas.org to register.
Get set… Start training, gather sponsorship and invite everyone you know to go ape in London. Registration costs £75 with a pledge to raise at least £400 in sponsorship and you’ll receive a free gorilla suit plus great support to ensure you reach your fundraising target and get in great shape ready for the race.
Go! The 2008 Great Gorilla Run starts and finishes at the London Underwriting Centre, EC3. It’s fantastic fun and by taking part you’ll be playing a crucial role in helping save the remaining 720 mountain gorillas left in the wild.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors
• With 17 courses set in forest locations across the country, the award-winning Go Ape experience is enjoyed by a tribe of over one million adventure seekers trekking from tree-to-tree some 40ft above the forest floor. Visit goape.co.uk
• Now in its sixth year the Great Gorilla Run has seen over 3,000 people run to raise over £1 million for gorillas in the wild. See them in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdfbtcudvNM and visit greatgorillas.org
For further information or to book a press trip to Go Ape please contact Semra at Honey Public Relations
T: 01223 241770 E: semra@honeypr.com W: honeypr.com