Conquering Cape Town's Peaks: A Race Through Time

Every November, Cape Town becomes a proving ground for trail runners aiming to conquer the storied Three Peaks Challenge. Participants scale Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, and Lion's Head, emulating Carl Wilhelm Schneeberger's 1897 feat of endurance and determination.

The event, now a cornerstone for serious athletes, was formalized into a race in 1997 by local runner Don Hartley. Despite its growing popularity, it maintains an exclusive air with strict participant limits to preserve its mystique and rigorous nature.

Covering 54 kilometers and a total elevation of 2,780 meters, the challenge tests even elite runners like record-holder Kane Reilly. The drastic weather changes across the peaks add to the endurance race's complexity, offering a blend of scenic beauty and athletic achievement.