Kilimanjaro Peak Ultra 2026

Summit Africa's Highest Mountain in a Single Push

The Kilimanjaro Peak Ultra (KPU) is one of the most audacious trail running events on the planet — a 68-kilometre non-stop ultra from Marangu Gate to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) and back, all in a single push. This inaugural event, premiering in October 2026, challenges runners to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, in what may be the world's most extreme altitude ultra-trail challenge.

Organised by PLAN B Event Company in partnership with Elia Safaris, the KPU takes runners from the lush tropical rainforest at 1,840 metres through five distinct climate zones — montane forest, heather moorland, alpine desert, arctic glacial zone — to the iconic summit at 5,895 metres, then all the way back down. With 4,100 metres of elevation gain, this is an unprecedented test of endurance, altitude tolerance and mountain running ability.

Course and Format

68 km — Summit and Return (4,100m D+)

The route follows the historic Marangu Route — the oldest and most established path to the summit of Kilimanjaro. From the gate at 1,840 metres, runners climb through lush rainforest, emerging into the heather and moorland zone before crossing the vast alpine desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The final push to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres crosses the volcanic scree and glacial terrain of the summit zone before runners retrace the route back to the gate.

The altitude is the defining challenge. Above 4,000 metres, oxygen levels drop below 60% of sea-level values, and the summit zone subjects runners to extreme cold, high winds and potential altitude sickness. Running (or hiking) above 5,000 metres is a profoundly different physical experience from any lower-altitude ultra.

Terrain and Difficulty

This is arguably one of the most difficult single-stage ultras in the world. The combination of extreme altitude (5,895m), massive elevation gain (4,100m), the return descent, and the need to navigate five climate zones in a single effort makes the KPU an exceptional challenge. The terrain ranges from well-maintained forest paths to rocky volcanic scree and the final summit push across a mix of rock and glacier remnants.

Practical Information

• Altitude: summit at 5,895m — extreme altitude experience required
• Acclimatisation: mandatory acclimatisation period recommended before the race
• Getting there: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), with Marangu Gate approximately 2 hours' drive
• Status: inaugural edition October 2026 — registration details pending