Welcome to the Calling Cape Town Challenge

An Extreme Triathlon for Education.

Are you ready to push your limits for something bigger than yourself?

The Calling Cape Town Challenge is not your average race. It’s a brutal test of endurance, resilience, and heart — set against the iconic backdrop of the Mother City. This unique triathlon combines three of Cape Town’s most demanding and legendary endurance feats:

• 🏊 Swim from Robben Island to Big Bay – Conquer the icy Atlantic waters in an 8 km open-water swim. (Qualifying criteria to follow). Those who do not qualify for the crossing will do an 8km loop from Granger Bay. 

• 🚴 Cape Town Cycle Tour Route – Tackle the 109 km road cycling route through the scenic, windswept peninsula. (Enter separately for this event when entries open: https://www.capetowncycletour.com/ )

• 🏃 Summit Three Peaks – Summit Cape Town's three most prominent peaks, Devil’s Peak, Maclear’s Beacon (Table Mountain), and Lion’s Head in one continuous 50+ km ultra trail run through Cape Town’s rugged terrain.

This is a challenge for the bold, the relentless, and the purpose-driven.

Why We Do It

This extreme challenge isn’t just about testing physical limits — it’s about changing lives.

Athletes are empowered to become fundraising ambassadors for Calling Education. This non-profit organisation's vision is to provide top-quality Christian education to low-income learners so they may lay hold of their callings. There are currently three Calling Academy independent high schools in operation in Stellenbosch (2018), Kroonstad (2022) and Paarl (2025). Your grit becomes their opportunity.

Event Details

📅 Date: 7 March 2026
📝 Registration: 10:00-13:00
📣 Race Briefing: 14:00
🏨 Venue: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens

📅 Date: 8 March 2026
🏁 RACE DAY
📍 Start: Granger Bay Harbour
🎯 Finish: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens

📅 Date: 9 March 2026
🕒 Cut-off: 06:00
🏆 Prizegiving: 09:00 at SunSquare Gardens

💥 Limited entries available. This is a self-supported Extreme event for serious athletes with proven endurance racing experience. Or enter as a team if you are not ready to go the full distance (yet). 

Compulsory Kit 

• Wetsuit: Cape Town’s ocean is cold, and wetsuits are mandatory for this event, as well as swimming googles & a brightly coloured swim cap

• Safety Buoy + Light: You start in the dark and need to have a highly visible buoy with a flashing light inside, due to the pre-dawn start

• Road bike: Mountain bikes or hybrids are allowed but not recommended. 

• Helmet: A TSA‑approved bike helmet is mandatory at all times during the cycling leg.

• Run kit: Running shoes and appropriate trail running clothing, including waterproof jacket, headlamp, space blanket, whistle, first aid kit and hydration vest (min. 1l capacity)

Do You Have What It Takes?

If you're ready to take on Cape Town’s toughest triathlon and do it for a cause that matters, register now!
Challenge your body. Elevate your purpose. Leave a legacy.

Important to note!

Registration

The registration fee is an indication of your commitment to not only train and prepare for this event, but also as an initial contribution to this fundraising project. The average amount raised per athlete in 2025 was R12,765, and we are aiming for that number to grow by at least 10% per athlete in 2026.  

NB – Payment of the registration fee does not constitute an automatic entry to the event. Registered athletes will receive all event information and be provided with relevant athlete profiles and fundraising tools. To confirm participation, prospective athletes will be required to reach a minimum fundraising hurdle of R3000 by the end of December.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour entry fee is separate and must be arranged independently by the athlete.

Branding Notice

Participants of the Calling Cape Town Challenge are kindly reminded that the event’s name, logo, and branding are the intellectual property of the organisers and may not be used for personal gain. This includes using the event name or association with the Challenge to request or secure discounts, sponsorships, or free gear from brands or suppliers for individual use. Any unauthorised use of the event’s branding for commercial or personal benefit undermines the collective integrity of the initiative and may result in disqualification from participation. All official fundraising and sponsorship efforts must be coordinated and approved by the event organisers.