Simon Mtuy is Tanzania’s foremost trail runner, expert mountain guide, world-record holder, and environmental and community development activist.  As the director and head guide on the KSR, Simon makes sure the run is comfortable, fun, and carefully paced to accommodate everyone in the group.  He looks forward to getting to know each runner individually, and to sharing his broad knowledge and enthusiasm for the trails of Kilimanjaro and the natural and cultural history of Tanzania.  His personal mission is to make the Kilimanjaro Stage Run your.best.run.ever!

Some of Simon’s achievements and activities:

• Holder of the world record fastest unsupported ascent/descent of Kilimanjaro (9 hr 21 min, round-trip), certified by Guinness. Former world record holder for fastest supported ascent-descent (8 hr 27 min). Surpassed by Kilian Jornet in 2010 (7 hr 14 min), who was trained and guided on Kilimanjaro by Simon.
• First and only international runner to earn a coveted Western States Endurance Run 10-day belt buckle (completing the WSER 10 times in under 24 hours).
• Community leader and outspoken advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, environmental sustainability and conservation, and grassroots community development.
• Director of the Kilimanjaro NGO, Hope Through Opportunity – Tanzania, which aims to address the issue of HIV transmission and the resulting repercussions in Mbahe Village, Kilimanjaro by providing new economic opportunities. These efforts, focusing on youth and women, attempt to provide independence and stability through the introduction of vocational training, business opportunity and increased educational access.
• Founder and director of Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience, a high quality Tanzania adventure travel company since 1998.
• More than 300 ascents of Kilimanjaro.
• Certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR (more than 240 hours of medical training).
• Expert mountaineer, including technical rock and ice climbing. National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) training in North America.
• Profiled on National Geographic Access 360° segments An Extreme Athlete and The Honey Bee.
• Member of the Rotary Club of Marangu (Kilimanjaro).
• Married with two sons.