News

08 December 2023

This year’s Durrell Dash raised over £9,000 for the charity’s work saving species from extinction. Thanks to the kind support of their sponsor, Rathbones, the Durrell Dash took place this year with a festive twist on Sunday 3 December. The Dash was due to be held on Sunday 5 November with a Halloween theme but had to be postponed due to storm Ciarán.

Last Sunday, over 320 runners took to the lanes of Trinity to run the family-fun 2.6km, jolly 6km, or more challenging 12km race. Many runners embraced the Christmas theme by completing the course in fancy dress, including Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, Christmas trees, and reindeer antlers! 

Rebecca Brewer, Durrell’s Interim CEO, said, “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the runners who took part in the Dash on Sunday. It felt very festive here at the zoo, with many runners completing the race in some amazing Christmas outfits! For the second year, it was great to see runners of all ages taking part in the family 2.6km fun run. We hope everyone enjoyed the event – the funds they raise together go a long way in helping to protect some of the world’s rarest wildlife, and we are so grateful for their support. A big thank you also goes to our generous sponsor Rathbones, for supporting this event over the last nine years, our event partner 3D Events, for once again organising a fantastic Durrell Dash, and all our brilliant volunteers who helped out on the day.”

The winner of the 12km race was Josh Brien, and the first female was Francesca Monticelli. James Oliver won the 6km race and the first female was Vikki Stafford. The highest fundraiser was Susan Patterson with an incredible total of £1,000! 

Peter Musker from Rathbones in Jersey, commented, “All of us at Rathbones were once again delighted to be able to support the annual Durrell Dash. It’s such a fun event, which brings together the community in raising funds for a very worthwhile cause – saving species from extinction. The atmosphere at the zoo was fantastic, with many runners of all ages and abilities taking part across the three races, and lots of volunteers helping to ensure the Dash was a success.”