BOOK REVIEW | Run. Risk. Reward.

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My Epic Trail-running Adventures

By Ryan Sandes with Steve Smith


As a follow-up to his hugely popular 2016 autobiography Trail Blazer, Ryan Sandes’ new book explores the gripping and often life-threatening adventures this extraordinary ultra-trail runner has experienced around the globe since then.

Not only have these projects tested the very edge of human endurance, but on several occasions, Ryan literally had to run for his life.

The first to run the entire circumference of Lesotho

Along with a 1 500-kilometre Himalayan adventure, read about his attempt at completing the first 700-kilometre solo run up Namibia’s legendary Skeleton Coast – only to stumble upon some very angry Namibian soldiers conducting illegal and, possibly, government-sponsored seal clubbing.

And, with his running partner Ryno Griessel, becoming the first people to run the entire circumference of Lesotho, during which they find themselves fighting off an attack from local herdsman armed with rocks and clubs. In between these adventures, Ryan battles to balance a challenging career with a dedicated commitment to his young family.

Risk. Run. Reward. is packed with adventure, humour and some fascinating insights into the psyche of an ultra-endurance athlete. Trust me, these people are not like you and me.

About the authors

Ryan Sandes is a local and international trail-running sensation. Among his many accomplishments, he was the first person to win all four races in the 4 Desert Series, and in 2013 became the first person to ever win an ultra-trail race on all seven continents. Ryan has also won two of the world’s most prestigious 100-miler trail races: in 2011, the Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado, and in 2017, the Western States 100 on the Sierra Nevada trails in California. He is an ambassador for the prestigious Laureus Foundation, married to businesswoman Vanessa and is the father of Max.

Steve Smith is a successful magazine editor and writer who penned the bestselling sports autobiographies To the Point, for bad-boy cricketer Herschelle Gibbs, SuperVan & I, for motor-racing legend Sarel van der Merwe, and Ryan Sandes’ first autobiography, Trailblazer. Steve is also an enthusiastic cyclist, having completed many multi- and single-day races around South Africa. He is arguably the country’s most experienced magazine editor, having been at the helm of Sports IllustratedCARRed Bull magazine, Sawubona and, most recently, the design-led publication, VISI.


  • PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House SA |
  • ISBN | 9781776391592 |
  • Recommended Retail Price | R320.00 |
  • Classification | Adventure |



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