Kilimanjaro Trail Run 2026

Trail Running on Africa's Highest Mountain

The Kilimanjaro Trail Run (KTR) is a unique trail running festival set on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Held on the western slopes of the mountain near Simba Farm, the event offers runners the extraordinary opportunity to run at extreme altitude on the flanks of this iconic 5,895-metre peak in Tanzania, East Africa.

Founded by Red Knot Racing Co., the Kilimanjaro Trail Run was created not only to provide an extraordinary athletic experience but also to positively impact lives in local Tanzanian communities. The event has grown into a multi-distance trail running weekend that attracts international runners seeking a truly unique African mountain experience.

The KTR courses climb from the farmlands at 1,760 metres to as high as 4,170 metres at Kilimanjaro's Moir Camp, offering runners a genuine high-altitude mountain challenge in one of the world's most iconic landscapes.

Courses and Formats

KTR Ultra 75 km (3,050m D+)

The flagship 75-kilometre ultra is a loop race starting from Simba Farm at 1,760 metres and climbing to Kilimanjaro's Moir Camp at 4,170 metres before returning. With 3,050 metres (10,000 feet) of total climbing, this is a formidable high-altitude ultra that takes runners through multiple climate zones — from farmland and montane forest through heather moorland to the alpine desert zone of Kilimanjaro's upper slopes.

KTR Ultra 65 km (2,565m D+)

The 65-kilometre ultra follows a loop from Simba Farm to Cathedral Point at 3,850 metres with 2,565 metres of total elevation gain. This distance offers a substantial ultra experience reaching well into Kilimanjaro's high-altitude zones while being somewhat more accessible than the 75 km.

KTR Ultra 50 km (2,225m D+)

The 50-kilometre ultra climbs from Simba Farm to Shira 1 at 3,510 metres (11,520 feet) with 2,225 metres of climbing. The course traverses the spectacular Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones, offering dramatic views of the main Kibo peak.

KTR Half Marathon (21 km)

The half marathon provides a more accessible entry point to running on Kilimanjaro's slopes, while still delivering a genuine high-altitude trail experience through the mountain's lower forest and farmland zones.

Terrain and Difficulty

Running on Kilimanjaro presents unique challenges. The altitude is the primary factor — the 75 km course reaches 4,170 metres, where oxygen levels are approximately 60% of sea-level values. Even well-trained runners will feel the effects of altitude, and acclimatisation is a real concern for those arriving from low-altitude locations.

The terrain varies dramatically across the climate zones: well-maintained farm tracks at lower elevations give way to forested single-track, then open moorland paths and finally rocky alpine desert trails at higher altitudes. The mountain weather can be unpredictable, with rain common in the forest zone and cold, windy conditions above the treeline.

History

The Kilimanjaro Trail Run has established itself as East Africa's premier high-altitude trail running event. The race leverages Kilimanjaro's global fame and extraordinary natural beauty to create an event that is as much about the experience and the cause as it is about competition. The event's connection to community development through the Red Knot Development organisation gives it a purpose beyond sport.

Practical Information

• Altitude acclimatisation: arriving 2-3 days early is strongly recommended, especially for the 65 km and 75 km distances
• Climate zones: prepare for temperatures from 25°C at the start to near-freezing at the highest points
• Getting there: fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), approximately 1-2 hours' drive from the race start at Simba Farm
• Visa: most nationalities require a visa for Tanzania, available on arrival or as an e-visa