Hog Charge 2023

What is it?
The Hog Charge was the brainchild of Andrew Coates from Peponi School, Trevor Cussans from Kenton College, Ian Mayo and Mark Tilbury. The basis of the idea was to raise funds for the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, a charity engaged in building an electric game-fence around the Aberdares National Park. This Park contains the sources of most of the major rivers in Kenya and hence it is vitally important to the water supply of much of the population. The fence has the additional benefits of preserving the wildlife and trees within the park and of keeping the wildlife out of the farms bordering the Aberdares – a boost to smallholder farmers and to both the tourism and agricultural industries. It is critical to the future of the country that the Park and the water towers are safeguarded.
The 443 kms long Aberdare Fence was completed in 2012.
Rhino Ark have also completed the fencing of 48 kms of the Eburu Forest in the Mau and are now fencing over 400 kms of the Mount Kenya National Park.

The Hog Charge is a mountain bike event and is based loosely on the annual 4 x 4 vehicle Rhino Charge. The event was aimed at school children to get them actively involved in Conservation fund raising and in so doing, they would learn about the efforts to conserve the Water Catchment areas of Kenya, how to inter-react with sponsors, learn team work and also give them a Challenge when they took part in the event. Parents and teachers are also encouraged to take part.

The first Hog Charge was held in 1999 and attracted around 40 teams and was Kenya’s first mountain bike competition.
Over the years, the Hog Charge has raised over KShs 60 million for the Rhino Ark.
In 2022, 152 teams raised the magnificent total of KShs 7.1 million.

How does it work?
The Hog Charge is a team competition. Teams consist of four riders and may enter in either the Under-12, Under-14 or Open classes, and as either all male, all female or mixed teams. There is also a Family Class for 2 parents and 2 children under 12.
In order to enter, teams must raise a minimum of KShs 24,000 in sponsorship
( Family Class minimum is Ksh. 20,000 ); but many raise considerably more and there are trophies for the teams that raise the highest sponsorship and second highest sponsorship.
There are six checkpoints on the course. Teams start at their designated checkpoint and must navigate to all the others before returning, to finish, at their starting point. Teams are timed between the checkpoints and the team with the shortest aggregate time wins. The event lasts for approximately three hours and in that time, Open may have to cover 20kms across rough country! The younger teams have a shorter route. Teams rest and can repair their bicycles for 7 mins at each control.
There is also a “Gauntlet” section organised by East African Chains Ltd., which provides extra fun for the Competitors and Spectators alike.
Trophies are awarded to the fastest Team in each Class on the event and through the gauntlet.

All Hog Charge money is channelled to the Rhino Ark via the Rhino Charge. The money acts as sponsorship in that event for the Hog Charge Team Car 35, driven by Mark Tilbury. Thus, children who are otherwise too young, can play a part, if indirectly, in a prestigious international competition which raises money for a worthy Conservation cause. The Hog Charge Team has been awarded the 2nd. or 3rd. Highest Sponsorship Raised trophy at the Rhino Charge many times.

Who are the sponsors and organisers?
The event is sponsored by Peponi School , Brookside Dairy Ltd. and Northlands.
The organising Committee is made up of Peponi School’s Head of PR and Marketing, Ngina Pratt Mburu, Ruth Cook, Marketing Officer, Head of Outside Activities, Eric Kanyiri, and Julian Pallister, teacher & long-time chief organiser of the Hog Charge, the General Manager and Marketing Team of Brookside Dairies, Angela from Northlands, and Mark and Robin Tilbury of East African Chains Ltd. and the Hog Charge Team.
On the day, the Event is organised by the staff and students of Peponi School, who not only man the Headquarters and Controls but also help with providing First Aid and basic refreshments at the controls.
Members and supporters of the Hog Charge Team and staff of East African Chains Ltd. oversee the Gauntlet and also oversee the Health and Safety of the competitors on the main event.
Other sponsors operate the checkpoints and provide food, drink, shelter and support to the teams.
All marshals, officials and sponsors give freely of their time and no operating or administration expenses are taken.

Finally – When and Where is it held?
The Hog Charge will be held on the third weekend of January 2023 on Northlands on the Thika Road; an extensive area of open bush that is the home to Brookside Dairies and Peponi School.
The headquarters for the weekend is in the David Marshall Library at Peponi School.
The Gauntlet and Prize Giving are held on the school’s playing fields where refreshments and food are provided by Farmers Choice, Kenchic, Cedars and Brookside Dairies for the competitors, spectators and officials.

Craft Market:
This will be held on Sunday in the Peponi School Grounds and there will be a variety of Products for sale, like camping products, outdoor activities, fashion accessories, hand-crafted jewellery, Ice Cream, etc. etc.

The Hog Charge is a Challenge for the Competitors, a Social Gathering for the Spectators, and overall, a Good Day Out in the fresh air and sunshine whilst raising money for a worthy Conservation Charitable trust – The Rhino Ark.