McKittrick and co crowned Rhino Charge champions

Participants manoeuvre through the rough terrains during the 35th edition of Rhino Charge at Torosei, Kajiado County on Saturday.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Team number 5, led by Graham McKittrick, emerged victorious in the 35th edition of the Rhino Charge, held in Torosei, Kajiado County on Sunday.

Competing with super-modified vehicles, they beat last year’s champions, Team 48 of Maxxis, by covering a distance of 31.9 kilometers and completing all 13 checkpoints.

"This marks our fifth win in the Rhino Charge competition, and we are incredibly proud. Our father began this journey, and we’ve taken it seriously, participating in every edition," McKittrick stated.

Second place went to Bundu Fundi, led by Sean Avery, who logged a distance of 31.2 kilometers. They were followed by Team Huzi, under Jeremy Holley, with a distance of 35.08 kilometers.

The Rhino Charge, an annual event, raises funds for conserving Kenya's water towers, including Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Forest Ecosystem, Kakamega Forest, and Mau Eburu Forest.

In the category for highest contributors, Team AK 44, led by Safaricom chairman Adil Khawaja, topped the list by donating Sh175.1 million. Rhino Ark chairman Peter Kinyua followed with Sh29.7 million, and Stanley Kinyanjui of Magnate Ventures contributed Sh18.2 million. This year's contributions set a new record at Sh325 million, surpassing last year's total of Sh173 million.

The Torosei community also benefited, receiving KSh 10 million for local projects.

Rishi Chauhan of Team Pumba Patrol claimed victory in the newly introduced Half Charge category, with Luke Symonds of Batuk taking second place.

In the unmodified category, Gumtree 4x4, led by John Bowden, finished first with a distance of 39.84 kilometers. They were closely followed by Hog Charge Team, led by Mark Tilbury, and Foley Charger, led by Nicholas Foley, both recording a distance of 41.96 kilometers.

Three all-women teams also competed in unmodified vehicles: Car 47 Girls in Pearls, Car 19 Bush Babes, and Car 50 Zambarau, with Bush Babes winning the women’s category.

Roving Rogues, under Peter Francombe, registered a distance of 31.14 kilometers, earning them the top spot in their division. Team 57, led by James Boorman, came second with 37.84 kilometers, while Team AK 44, under Adil Khawaja, took third with 40.51 kilometers.