13 Peaks A Ryan Sandes Challenge

MORE INTO UNSTRUCTURED ADVENTURE THAN FORMAL RACING? THEN THE 13 PEAKS CHALLENGE MAY BE FOR YOU.

- Ryan Scott

MANY KNOW HIM as SA’s most famous trail runner – for winning the prestigious Western States 100 in the US, and for the bucketload of accolades received over an extraordinary racing career. But earlier this year, Ryan Sandes stumbled into a new type of challenge, a unique test of endurance – and it was of his own making. Here’s the story, in his own words:

ACCIDENTAL BLUEPRINT

The 13 Peaks Challenge is more of an adventure than a footrace, I’d say. The challenge starts at Signal Hill [in Cape Town], moving southwards in the direction of Noordhoek, before turning back north, in the direction of the City Bowl. The route takes you mostly through TableMountain National Park, starting at Signal Hill, tagging [ascending to the top point of] 13 peaks in order and finishing back at Signal Hill. The challenge itself is anything between 102 and 108km, with over 6 000m ascent.

It’s really an opportunity for people to have a personal adventure, and you can choose from different categories – there’s a multi-day, a two-day and a one-day option. I send specific badges to finishers in all of these categories.

The choice means you can hike it, or you can run it fast. The great thing about the 13 Peaks is it enables people to experience these mountains in a unique way, and it gives you a huge sense of accomplishment when you complete the challenge.

So many people who've completed it and received the badge will then revisit a peak or two with their family or friends, to introduce others to something that has now taken on new meaning for them.