Take on the 13 Peaks Challenge with Ryan Sandes

In his mission to spread the love of trail running with the rest of the world, ultra-distance runner, Ryan Sandes, has recently created a 13 Peak Challenge around Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula. The just-over-100km-long-route starts at Signal Hill and ‘runs’ all the way through to Muizenberg Peak before heading back to Signal Hill for the finish. Ryan created the challenge as a way to return back to the core essence of trail running – connecting with nature and exploring the mountains.

The experience is open to anyone who wants to take part. “Kane Reilly and I did the challenge in one day, and it was incredible to be able to explore and move through the mountains for over 100km – seeing the sunrise over Lions Head and then set over the Constantiaberg whilst we were out on the route,” says Ryan.

Ryan is hoping that it becomes an ongoing challenge that trail runners will put on their bucket lists to complete.

How the 13 Peaks Challenge Works

The route

In order to complete the 13 Peaks Challenge you have to do the 13 peaks in the following order, starting and ending at Lions Head, tagging each peak (1-13) as you go along. The Peaks in order are 1. Signal Hill 2. Lions Head 3. Maclears Beacon 4. Grootkop 5. Judas Peak 6. Klein Leeu Kop 7. Suther Peak 8. Chapmans Peak 9. Noordhoek Peak 10. Muizenberg Peak 11. Constantiaberg 12. Klassenkop 13. Devils Peak

The Challenge

You can choose one of the three challenges to complete the 13 peaks

One day challenge – complete the 13 peaks in 24 hours.

Two day challenge – complete the 13 peaks in 48 hours.

Multi day / speed challenge – complete the 13 peaks in as many days as you like. For the multi day option your time stops when you leave the route and starts again once you start the route, but you must re-enter the route at the same spot you left it.

The Rules

The rules are simple. You need to follow the order and most importantly, don’t be a chop & keep safe.

Time Limit

There is no time limit on the route, and as a personal challenge, you don’t have to submit proof. It’s all about exploration, and the core of trail running. But if you’re competitive and want to share your route and time. Upload it on social media and tag Ryan #13PeaksChallenge. There is a website which will be coming shortly where runners can upload times and see how they compare to others.

Images: Ryan Sandes