Kilimanjaro Trail Run

Run On the Roof of Africa

Kilimanjaro Trail Run (KTR) offers half (21K), full (42K), and ultra (67K) marathon distance events on the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. All races climb to an elevation of 3850 meters (12600 ft) over a mix of double track, single track, and technical single track trails. 

Kilimanjaro Trail Ultra

The Kilimanjaro Trail Ultra is a 67 kilometer loop race from Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) to Kilimanjaro’s Cathedral Point (3850m / 12600ft) and return. We race the course anti-clockwise direction in odd years and clockwise in even. In 2021 racers will climb via the Lemosho trekking route and descend on the Shira rescue road, passing through farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland zones. Total climbing for the KTR Ultra is 2850 meters (9350ft).

This event is not to be taken lightly, as the combination of climbing, high altitude and unpredictable weather can be extremely difficult. Additionally, the cutoff for the KTR Ultra is 12 hours, which will require some work. The ultra is limited to 96 runners in 2021. 

The full marathon (42km / 26.2mi) is a point to point race with alternating up and down years. Odd years (e.g. 2021) begin at Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) and climb via Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho route to Cathedral Point (3850m / 12600ft) before descending again to the finish line at Morem. These up years boast 2750 meters (9000+ ft) of total climbing and 1100 meters (3600 ft) of descent, while down years are exactly the opposite. Either direction racers enjoy running through multiple climate and vegetation zones — farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland.

2021 is an up year for the KTR Marathon. Cutoff is 9 hours, and the event is limited to 48 runners. 

The half marathon (21km / 13.1mi) is a loop run on Shira Plateau, featuring double and single track in the heather and moorland zone. The first 10 kilometers are via rescue road, and the second half of the race on progressively more technical trails. The race features 510 meters (1700 ft) of climbing, with a high altitude point of 3850 meters (12600 ft). This event does not begin or end at the KTR race village, and so requires (early morning) vehicle transport to the race start.

The KTR Half is a great entry race into high altitude running, or a superb way to hike fully supported for a day on Kili. In fact, we welcome hikers in the half marathon. The cutoff is approximately 7 hours, and the event is limited to 48 participants in 2021.