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Pushing the limits: Athletes raise funds for charity by completing the grueling 13 Peaks Challenge

  • Athletes from Mindset Movement participated in the 13 Peaks
    Endurance Challenge, covering 105 km to raise funds for local non-profits.
  • Key
    participants included Didier de Villiers, who aimed to complete the challenge
    multiple times for charity.
  • The event highlighted the power of
    endurance sports in creating positive change for communities.

On Thursday 10 October athletes from Mindset Movement and supporters of GivenGain came together for the challenging 13 Peaks Endurance Challenge.

The event, which involved tagging 13 of the city’s iconic peaks, aimed to raise funds for local non-profit organisations and promote community well-being through endurance sports.

The challenge spanned approximately 105 km with a staggering vertical gain of 6 000 m. Participants aimed to complete the course in under 24 hours, showcasing their determination and endurance for a worthy cause.

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Didier de Villiers from Newlands, a standout athlete who made headlines last year for his unprecedented back-to-back completion of the 13 Peaks, took on an even greater challenge this year. He aimed to run the course daily for as many consecutive days as possible to support the Evelina Tshabalala Foundation.

“I am pushing myself further than ever,” De Villiers said before the event. “This challenge is not just about personal achievement; it’s about raising awareness and funds for an inspiring cause.”

Causes

Evelina Tshabalala, a figure in South African running, made history in 1993 as the first black woman to claim a podium finish at the Two Oceans Marathon. Despite facing adversity, including an HIV/Aids diagnosis she founded the Evelina Tshabalala Foundation to help children and individuals in her community through running and wellness initiatives.

“I met Evelina last year and was moved by her resilience,” De Villiers shared. “Her foundation is doing incredible work to uplift the community, and I want to contribute to that.”

Other participants included Mark Wille and Simoné Fuls, who raised funds for the Ubuntu Football Trust and Great Girls, respectively. Wille stated: “This challenge tests us physically and mentally, but the true challenge is the one these kids face every day. By supporting Ubuntu Football Trust, we can empower youth through sport.”

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Fuls added: “Running the 13 Peaks is a tough journey, but it pales in comparison to the struggles young women endure. Supporting Great Girls helps shape their futures and builds their confidence.”

The event also saw the participation of 11-year-old Kenzie Knott, who completed the 13 Peaks challenge earlier this year to raise funds for rhinos. “My love for nature and animals drives me,” she said. “I want to show that anyone, no matter their age, can make a difference.”

GivenGain has a history of mobilising fundraising efforts for mass participation events.

“This collaboration with Mindset Movement highlights the power of community and endurance sports in creating positive change,” said Jannie Smith, Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at GivenGain. “We are proud to support these athletes and the causes they represent.”

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