Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro

Run on the roof of Africa.

Kilimanjaro Trail Run is a weekend of 6 trail running events on the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. The terrain is as unforgiving as the scenery is spectacular! 

We have a race for every runner in your group!

Event distances on offer are 10 kilometers, half marathon, full marathon, and 3 x ultra marathons (50, 65, and 75km). 

KTR takes place over a weekend, August 31 - September 1 2024, with races scheduled to take place on different days.


Kilimanjaro Trail Run is organized by Red Knot Racing Co.

Upcoming Races

Aug 31 2024
10 KM
New for 2024, our 10-kilometer run through West Kili Forest is great for racers, runners, hikers, family and friends! The West Kili Forest 10K is a loop run in Tanzania Forestry Services land and highlights low mountain farmland, planted forests, and old growth forests. This event begins and ends at the Simba Farm race village and does not go into Kilimanjaro National Park. The loop is primarily single track and involves about 230 meters (750ft) of climbing to a high elevation point of 1920 meters (6300ft). Cutoff for the 10K is 3 hours, and the 2024 event is limited to 240 runners | Start Saturday, 31st August 8:00
Single Loop Course
3:00 Cutoff
2 Elevation Rating
Rolling, ~2500 feet in 50 miles
3 Surface Rating
Some rocks, root, and/or ruts
Sep 1 2024
21 KM
Our half marathon (21.1km / 13.1mi) is a loop run on Shira Plateau, on a combination of 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 520 meters (1700 ft) of climbing, with a high elevation of 3850 meters (12600 ft) near Cathedral Point. This event begins and ends at Morem (3410m / 11190ft) on Shira plateau; vehicle transport is provided for participants to the race start and from the finish line back to the race village. 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. We welcome hikers in the half marathon. Cutoff for the half marathon is 7.5 hours, and the 2024 event is limited to 60 runners | Start Sunday, 1st September 7:30 (6:15 vehicle departure)
Single Loop Course
3 Aid Stations
7:30 Cutoff
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
4 Surface Rating
Substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts
Sep 1 2024
42 KM
With 2550m (8360ft) of climbing, our full marathon (42.2+km / 26.2+mi) is one of the most difficult marathons in the world. Runners climb via Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho trekking route from Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) to Cathedral Point (3850m / 12600ft) on Shira Plateau, prior to descending to the finish line at Morem (3410m / 11190ft). The course passes through multiple climate and vegetation zones — farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland. Total descent on the day is 870m (2860ft). This event ends at Morem on Kilimanjaro; vehicle transport is provided from the finish line back to the race village. Cutoff for the full marathon is 10.5 hours, and the 2024 event is limited to 60 runners | Start Sunday, 1st September 5:30
Point-to-Point Course
6 Aid Stations
10:30 Cutoff
4 Elevation Rating
Very hilly, ~7500-12,500 feet in 50 miles
4 Surface Rating
Substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
50 KM
Our 50 kilometer ultra is a shorter and more accessible version of the 65 and 75 kilometer versions. KTR Ultra 50 is a loop race from Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) to a high elevation of 3510m (11520ft) at Shira 1 on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau and return. Runners climb the Lemosho trekking route and descend via Shira rescue road, passing farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland zones. Total climbing is 2225m (7300 ft). The cutoff for the KTR Ultra 50 is the same 13.5 hours allotted for the other two ultras, which makes it an extremely accessible high elevation ultra marathon (to the extent that high elevation ultras can be accessible). Still, the combination of climbing, high altitude and unpredictable weather can make this a tough day. KTR Ultra 50 is limited to 120 runners in 2024 | Start Saturday, 31st August 5:30
Single Loop Course
7 Aid Stations
13:30 Cutoff
4 Elevation Rating
Very hilly, ~7500-12,500 feet in 50 miles
4 Surface Rating
Substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
65 KM
Our 65 kilometer ultra is a shorter version of the KTR Ultra 75. It’s a loop race from Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) to Kilimanjaro’s Cathedral Point (3850m / 12600ft) and return. Runners climb the Lemosho trekking route and descend via Shira rescue road, passing farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland zones. Total climbing is 2565m (8415 ft). The cutoff for the KTR Ultra 65 is the same 13.5 hours allotted for the 75, which does still require some real work. This event is not to be taken lightly, as the combination of climbing, high altitude and unpredictable weather can be difficult. KTR Ultra 65 is limited to 60 runners in 2024 | Start Saturday, 31st August 5:30
Single Loop Course
9 Aid Stations
13:30 Cutoff
4 Elevation Rating
Very hilly, ~7500-12,500 feet in 50 miles
4 Surface Rating
Substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
75 KM
Our 75 kilometer ultra is a loop race from Simba Farm (1760m / 5770ft) to a high elevation at Kilimanjaro’s Moir Camp (4170m / 13680ft) and return. Runners climb the Lemosho trekking route and descend via Shira rescue road, passing farmland, rain forest, and heather / moorland zones. Total climbing is 3050m (10000 ft). This event is absolutely not to be taken lightly, as the combination of climbing, high altitude and unpredictable weather can be both difficult and dangerous. Additionally, the cutoff for the KTR Ultra 75 is 13.5 hours, which requires exceptional fitness and determination. [Do NOT assume the difference between the 75 and 65 is a mere 10km of running.] Our 65 and 75 km ultra marathons split at the 33 kilometer (20.5 mi) mark, and KTR Ultra 75 runners may drop down to the 65 at that point to maintain a race finish. KTR Ultra 75 is limited to 20 runners in 2024 | Start Saturday, 31st August 5:30.
Single Loop Course
10 Aid Stations
13:30 Cutoff
4 Elevation Rating
Very hilly, ~7500-12,500 feet in 50 miles
4 Surface Rating
Substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts

Additional Distances

This event also has the following non ultra distances

42 KM 10 KM 21 KM

Results

No Past Races