How to play vertical climb?

The "Vertical Kilometre" challenge has been raging in Europe in recent years. In the Champions League UTMB and European players' discussions, South African cross country racer Ryan Sandes has become increasingly interested in the VK FKT game. He also had a VK FKT at Table Mountain in his home town of Cape Town.

Speaking of understanding of VK, or a few years ago, at Salomon Advance Week, he casually chatted with Kilian Jornet. "He started running a marathon and later liked a hundred miles. Now he likes vertical climbing. He is born. I think it's a good fit to run a sport of any distance. I just thought he was crazy,” Ryan Sandes said.

Nowadays, Ryan Sandes, who is interested in VK, picks up Table Mountain at the door of the house and climbs up one by one, starting from the coast all the way up the hill and challenging a vertical climb. This is also the first official vertical climbing challenge in Cape Town.

"I was really aware of what Kilian said when I created Table Mountain's speed record." —Ryan Sandes

The total length of the line is 6 kilometers (1,050 meters above sea level), which is much shorter than the speed of the 1.0 route (from the Suikerbossie restaurant to the lower Tafelberg Road), but it does not mean it will be easier.

If measured by European standards, the track is somewhat "flat". The track before 4.5 km is not easy. Some VK sections are less than 2 km and the climb has reached 1000 meters.

"But the line's characteristics make it wild," Ryan recalled. "Starting from the sea and walking down the canyon - this road is hard to get up - and suddenly you're on the stairs to India Venster." So it is more like an awesome hiking/hiking trail."

“The terrain and routes are cool and the scenery is amazing.” —Ryan Sandes

In the end, Ryan's Table Mountain VK FKT took 1 hour 03 minutes to complete the entire route. The next goal, too, has been well thought out: Come back here during the season and see if you can run for an hour.

“One hour is a challenging goal. I think people like Kane Reilly (cross-country runners and surfers) should be able to run in easily for an hour, but I also have a powerful diesel engine.....

For Ryan, vertical climb will not be his most passionate gameplay. "Usually, the distance of vertical climb is relatively short. When I finished the race, I hadn't warmed up enough yet - hahaha." "However, it can really expand my limits and enhance my ability. This is a good measure. Can check my physical condition."

If someone wants to prepare for the Supercross or Skyrunning series, this is definitely an ideal training method.

A vertical climb can test your fitness level. In addition, if you are doing long-distance running training recently, inserting such a short-distance, high-intensity challenge is a good crossover. Can give your body some different stimuli.

For Ryan Sandes, this challenging activity is not so much a personal first-time experience as it is with a "table mountain sword" that is used by other former players.

In his eyes, cross-country runners regardless of physical fitness or level can participate. When you are free, you may wish to make arrangements with your partner to the foot of the nearby hill to find a way to the top and climb it once to increase your fastest completion time.