Peak performance: Swim, bike, run challenge

Here is a summary of the challenge on the 9th March 2025.  The night lights swim was done in preparation for this challenge. 

9 March 2025 – The Ultimate Challenge

Mike and Jeanine Clarke, Tayla Hobson, Juan Slabbert, and David Hall - all from the Helderberg - rose before the crack of dawn (at 3am, on Sunday March 9) to start their extraordinary and formidable challenge.

First, the Robben Island crossing, an 8km swim...

The team arrived at Robben Island in misty conditions, and entered the dark waters at 5.10am; the only lights to show the way were the distant city lights, and the lights in their tow floats, bobbing behind the swimmers.

After swimming for about an hour, the sun rose, and they enjoyed the rest of the 8 km swim to Big Bay in superb sunlit conditions. 

Next, the Cape Town Cycle Tour: 109km...

With time ticking away, the team made a mad dash to meet the cutoff for the cycle tour, just managing to slot in with the second last batch of cyclists.

While Mike and Jeanine are seasoned riders, they took on an extra challenge this year, riding tandem. 

Despite this, they powered through and completed the race in an impressive cycle time of 4:30. Their journey wasn’t without obstacles, however... the tandem’s chain snapped on Chappies, but Mike managed to fix it and they were back on track.

And to top it off, A Test of Grit: a 50km trail run...

At 2.45pm, the team set off from Tafelberg Road at the base of Table Mountain for their epic challenge's final leg(s) – a grueling 50km trail run across Table Mountain, with a deadline of 5am the next morning. 

The route demanded relentless ascents and descents, including multiple climbs up Platteklip Gorge.

Along the way, they enjoyed breathtaking views from iconic peaks like Maclear’s Beacon, Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head, where they captured some memorable moments. 

Drizzle turned the trails into treacherous slopes as night fell, punishing Juan’s knees, but he pushed through for the cause.  By the early hours, the team triumphed and were welcomed back by friends and supporters, celebrating their remarkable and heroic trails sic (trials) and tribulations.

Werner Cloete, CEO of Calling Cape Town, plans to build the fourth school using funds raised by this event - and the total amount raised by Calling Cape Town is just over R2 million. Of that, R170 000 was raised by Mike and his team from the Helderberg.

They currently have three high schools for boys, all from underprivileged backgrounds - and last year's event allowed them to build a school in Paarl.

A precursor to this event, a Night Swim, was held on Monday March 3, held at 8pm at Gordon’s Bay Main Beach. Swimming in the sea at night may seem daunting, but a group of open-water enthusiasts embraced the challenge. 

Swimmers from Gordon’s Bay (the Gordon’s Bay Warriors), the Strand (Strand Open-Water Warriors), and surrounding areas - including Hermanus, Botriver, Elgin, Brackenfell, Bothasig, Bellville, and Stellenbosch – participated in this first-time event.

How it came about:

Organised by local swimmers, Mike, Jeanine, Tayla, Juan, and David, who initially planned the night swim as part of their training – the event went viral when they invited the Gordon’s Bay Warriors to join them. 

ithin a day or two, and with support from Gordon’s Bay Warriors co-founder, Celia Pienaar, word spread, and an impressive 57 swimmers took to the dark water. 

Each participant pulled a lighted float buoy for safety, creating a mesmerising display of moving colourful lights from the main beach to the harbour wall and back (a total of 1.9km).   

What began as a training swim became a full-fledged night event, raising over R2 000 and increasing awareness for "Calling Education".  

For more about Calling Education, visit www.callingeducation.org.za