This week we talk with Ryan Sandes all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. His bio is long but what stands out most is his 5th, 2nd and 1st at the Western States 100 where he’ll be racing again this year. Along with preparing to run the iconic Two Oceans road marathon, Ryan recently invented a project called the 13 Peaks Challenge.
A route following the Dorset coastline. From the Devon-Dorset border, via paths, trails etc which keep you closest to the coast, to the Dorset-Hamphire border. Also completing a loop of the Isle of Portland along the way. The route is approximately 100miles with around 17,500ft of ascent.
Start timings could be important with this as at Lulworth Ranges the gates need to be open and no firing happening. Also to cross the water at Studland the Sandbanks ferry needs to be running.
There are races which happen in this area but none are border-to-border.
The Otter Trail is officially the oldest and undoubtedly the most iconic hiking trail in South Africa. The trail, which runs along the spectacular coastline between the Storms River mouth and Nature’s Valley, was opened in 1968 and is considered one of the finest multi-day trails in the world.
An extended, 20-mile trail loop in Yosemite Valley, spanning from the footbridge up Tenaya Creek near Snow Creek down to Pohona Bridge. Note this is a bigger loop than the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail.
A 10.5 mile lollipop loop from the Murphy TH in Islands in the Sky (Canyonlands National Park), looping on the Murphy Hogback Trail, the White Rim Road, and the Murphy Wash Trail.
Described by Brandon Yonke: