Salomon
Age: 0
Hometown:
Occupation: Ryan Sandes: Trail Runner Andrew "Fuzzy" van Rensburg: Events Organiser
About me:
Ryan: 37 year old Ryan Sandes is a local and international trail running sensation, competing on all corners of the globe. He was the first person to win all 4 races in the 4 Desert Series and in 2013 became the first person to ever win an ultra trail race on all 7 continents. In 2011, Ryan won the Leadville 100 miler mountain race in Leadville, Colorado, setting the 3rd fastest time in the history of the race and the fastest time by a non-American - it was his first 100 miler. He is an ambassador of the prestigious Laureus Foundation and special mention about his phenomenal career was made at the International Laureus Awards in Abu Dhabi.
Ryan’s biography, Trail Blazer, written by Steve Smit, was launched in English in 2016. In 2017 his book was translated into Spanish - the 2nd most spoken language on earth. What started out as a “passion project” turned into a best-selling book. One of his greatest victories was in 2017 when he won the Western States 100 known as the world’s oldest 100 miler.
At the beginning of 2018 Ryan and a friend, Ryno Griesel, set a new trail running record on a section of the Great Himalayan Trail through Nepal. An eye-watering time of 25 days 4 hours and 24 minutes was set on a combination of the high and cultural route on the GHT. A distance of 1 435km was covered, which the men ran virtually non-stop, climbing 63 721m in elevation gain which is the equivalent of climbing 7.5 Mount Everest’s. Ryan is a doting father to son Max, as well as their adopted fur-child, Thandi and he has been married to his actress/business-woman wife, Vanessa Haywood-Sandes for 5 years. People are inspired not only by Ryan’s athletic ability but also his humble and down-to-earth approach to life. He is a highly sought after motivational speaker and is considered one of the world’s leading ultra trail runners.
Andrew: Being based in Underberg, the trails and peaks of the Southern Drakensberg have been my training/play ground for some time now. They have provided me with endless adventures, taught me how to push myself beyond what I thought was possible and given me lifelong memories. Taking part in this years Rhino Peak Challenge is my small way to give back to this truly special place by raising much needed funds to conserve the vulture and crane populations that we share it with.
Sporting bio:
Ryan: - 4 Desert Series Champion 2010
- Leadville 100 mile champion 2011
- First person to win an ultra on all 7 continents 2013
- Western States 100 mile champion 2017
- Great Himalaya Trail FKT with Ryno Griesel 2018
Andrew: - My first Ultra Trail (SkyRun Lite 2013)
- My first 100km (Valley Run 2015)
- My first 100 miler (Addo Elephant 2016)
- Qualifying for Ultra Trail Mont Blanc
- Participating & Finishing UTMB (2017)
Reason for taking challenge:
Ryan: The Rhino Peak Challenge is for a really important cause close to my heart. Being a new Dad I really want my son, Max to be able to show his children Rhino’s one day.
Andrew: Being based in Underberg, the trails and peaks of the Southern Drakensberg have been my training/play ground for some time now. They have provided me with endless adventures, taught me how to push myself beyond what I thought was possible and given me lifelong memories. Taking part in this years Rhino Peak Challenge is my small way to give back to this truly special place by raising much needed funds to conserve the vulture and crane populations that we share it with.