Adventurer runs 2700km in aid of African penguin

SLEEPING in drains to beat the elements and being threatened with violence by those who thought his pram held a baby, not clothes, ended in tears of joy yesterday for an animal activist who ran 2700km along the southern African coast.

Dave Chamberlain, who has run "stupendous distances" in Argentina (5700km) to raise awareness for jaguars and rhinos, finished a similar run yesterday, this time from Walvis Bay in Namibia to Port Elizabeth, and in aid of the endangered African penguin.

It was an emotional end to a 2700km run along the coast – representing the seabirds' breeding range.

"It's an overwhelming experience; I am completely blown away," Chamberlain said yesterday, tears rolling down his cheeks.