Athletes Take on 24-hour Cape Town Endurance Challenge to Raise Funds for Education

The ‘Calling Cape Town Challenge’ combines the Robben Island swim, Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Three Peaks trail run, a 167km test of endurance aimed at raising funds for Calling Education.

Cape Town, South Africa (05 March 2026) – Before most people in Cape Town have even had their first cup of coffee, a group of endurance athletes will already be deep into one of the toughest challenges imaginable.

On 8 March 2026, athletes will take on the Calling Cape Town Challenge, an extreme test of stamina that combines three of the city’s most iconic endurance events into a single, continuous effort. The challenge begins in the early hours of the morning with the 7.5km Robben Island swim, followed by the 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour, and ends with a demanding 50km Three Peaks trail run across Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.

All three events must be completed within 24 hours, covering a total distance of roughly 167 kilometres.

Among those stepping up to the start line is Brad Birnie, who admits this kind of event is new territory even for someone used to pushing physical limits.

“I’ve never done a triathlon before. My background is in ultra-swimming and trail running, where pushing my limits has always been personal, but this challenge is different. I’m taking on 24 hours of endurance to support Calling Education, helping gifted children access full, life-changing education.”

Every athlete and volunteer involved is raising funds for Calling Education, a non-profit organisation working to expand access to quality schooling for learners from low-income communities.

The organisation’s mission is to make excellent education more accessible by developing sustainable models for low-fee private schooling in South Africa. Its work has already led to the creation of several schools, including Calling Academy, an all-boys high school established outside Stellenbosch in 2018. Since then, the initiative has grown, with additional campuses opening in Kroonstad in 2022 and Paarl in 2025.

The endurance challenge has already drawn significant support, with more than R2.5 million raised so far to help fund the organisation’s efforts.

For Brad, the difficulty of the challenge is precisely the point.

“If I’m going to suffer, let it be for something that truly matters. If you’re here, please consider donating, every contribution helps turn effort into opportunity.”

They call on the community for their support to help make this a reality. To help or learn more information, follow the link here.

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