BEST OF 2021
Lee on his way from Robben Island to Blaauwberg
In December , Cape Town-based ultra-runner and Ironman triathlete Lee Schoombie set out to tackle the Carlstrong Extreme Challenge : Racing For Recovery , an incredible ultra-distance multisport challenge that he came up with during a 10km morning run . But there was much more to it than just the challenge of taking on three of Cape Town ’ s most iconic sporting events in one day – it was also to raise funds to help those suffering from emotional and mental trauma , something that Lee knows much about . – BY SEAN FALCONER
my fear and take the plunge , so I began by doing more open sea swim events in Cape Town , and it got to point where I signed up to a Robben Island to Blaauwberg crossing in March 2020 , but that was then postponed due to COVID ,” says Lee .
“ Then one day , during a 10km run – where all my ideas come up – I was thinking about the Cycle Tour and Two Oceans , wondering if they would actually take place again in 2021 , and when I could try to fit in a Robben Island swim around them , and all the training required , and I thought screw this , I ’ m going to do all three in one day . I just decided there and then to do it , so when I got home , I messaged my sister and my dad , and told them of the plan . I definitely had not prepped or trained for anything like it , but I just decided to go for it because it would be an epic adventure to do all three iconic events in one day . I love challenging myself , and I have all the motivation I need by doing it for the Carlstrong Foundation , because I believe that one day of pain can end a lifetime of suffering . That makes my pain minimal .”
Inspired by a Brother
Lee founded the Carlstrong Foundation following the tragic death of his brother Carl in November 2015 , due to what he and his family went through as a result of the senseless killing of a beloved sibling . It ’ s a horrific story of mistaken identity and being in the wrong place at the wrong time , says Lee . “ My brother had just returned from a gap year working on the cruise ships , after completing his studies , and he had a job interview coming up on the Monday . That Friday , he went out with one of his mates , and the mate ’ s sister , and they went to Tiger Tiger to dance .
“ While they were there , a fight broke out between two sets of other guys . My brother and his friend didn ’ t even know about it . The two aggressors in the fight were thrown out of the club , but the club manager had to sneak the two younger guys out the back , via the fire escape , and put them in an Uber , because the two aggressors were waiting outside for them . Meanwhile my brother and his friends came out and got into another Uber to go home , and when the aggressors started hammering on the Uber car , the driver tried to speed away from them .”
A dangerous high-speed chase ensued , until the panicked Uber driver
unknowingly turned into a cul-de-sac and the aggressors cornered them . “ My brother and his friend got out to try and reason with these two guys , trying to explain that it wasn ’ t them in the club , but these guys were beyond listening and started beating them
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