The 3-Peaks Challenge takes place every year in Cape Town. The route covers roughly 50kms of cityscape and mountain terrain, and participants are required to ascend Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head respectively. Runners must also return to Greenmarket Square before moving on to the next peak.
Arguably Cape Town’s most strenuous trail run race, the annual 3-Peaks Challenge is taking place this Saturday, 3 November. Founded over 120 years ago, it is a day of resilience, excitement and exploration as participants take on this monumental race.
The Challenge begins at 5am from Burg Street, Greenmarket Square. Participants have 14 hours to complete the Challenge before cut-off time at 7pm.
Additionally, runners need to have completed Table Mountain and return to Greenmarket Square by 3pm to continue with the final peak. The challenge is informal and there are no marshals directing participants. Familiarity with the route is crucial, as there are various natural landmarks pointing participants in the right direction.
See the route here.
This year five participants, through the back-a-buddy fundraising platform, are dedicating their race to Mamelani Projects. The Cape Town-based NPO focuses on Community Health Programs that provides safe spaces for people to learn about their health and ways to improve their overall wellbeing, as well as that of their families and communities. The second focus is a Youth Development Programme that aims to provide learning opportunities and support to people who have been raised in Child and Youth Care Centres who turn 18 and are forced to leave residential care.
The money raised for Mamelani ensures that the organisation is able to offer learning opportunities that helps the youth reach personal goals and the skills to deal with the challenges they face.
If you are looking to get involved by helping these five participants reach their target of R10 000, click here.
The gruelling nature of the challenge requires participants to be extremely fit and healthy, and prepared for any weather conditions.
As Table Mountain National Park is an environmentally protected area, participants are expected to be mindful of their impact and are requested to stay on designated paths to avoid destroying vegetation and to not litter.
Pictures: Facebook