The Kilimanjaro Stage Run adventure begins and ends at Simon Mtuy’s family farm in Mbahe Village, about 45 minutes outside of the town of Moshi, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Runners spend two nights at Mbahe before the eight days of running and a final celebratory night there after their successful achievement. A hidden […]

Simon Mtuy, head guide of the Kilimanjaro Stage Run, has more than one string in his bow! He is Tanzania’s foremost trail runner, expert mountain guide, environmental and community development activist, and world-record holder! Here we uncover the story behind his world records and the reasons why Simon attempted these incredible challenges on Tanzania’s iconic […]

1. Get to know a new country. Tanzania has a lot to offer! From its 16 national safari parks, its two mountain peaks above 4000m, its vibrant cities, to its miles and miles of white sandy beaches … there is so much to see, discover, and explore in Tanzania.  And one of the best ways […]

The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is an extreme running challenge for several reasons: the distance, the elevation gain, the accumulated running over several days, and the unfamiliar environment and culture.  There is one other very important challenge that runners need to manage but many take for granted:  their hydration.  Proper hydration is key to running performance by […]

Joseph Matula is a 36-year-old Tanzanian who began his early career as a driver for several Moshi-based tour companies.  He joined SENE full-time in that capacity in 2010, while he also resumed his studies to be a safari guide.  Now he travels year round throughout the safari parks of Tanzania’s northern circuit with SENE clients […]

During the Kilimanjaro Stage Run, you will live 10 days in the heart of Tanzania, a country where the scenes of life, vegetation, and landscape are certainly very different from your own.  You will pass through places that few tourists have had the opportunity to be.  Expect to observe, encounter, and experience many different and […]

Every year since its inception in 2012, women runners have joined Simon Mtuy and their male peers on the Kilimanjaro Stage Run.  They have achieved strong finishes all the way to the end at the Marangu Gate of the Kilimanjaro National Park.  And each year more women have accepted the KSR challenge and every year […]

Daniel Rowland is a Zimbabwean long-distance trail runner who competes in ultramarathons and multi-day stage races around the world. Daniel has his own blog (www.dwrowland.com), where he shares his process of preparing for stage races based on his own experience. It is “a guide to multi-stage racing and mountain ultras” from a runner who knows […]

Everything started in 2012 when Simon invited a group of international ultra runners to run the 260km around world famous Mount Kilimanjaro to share what he loves … running and the beautiful country of Tanzania! Since then the Kilimanjaro Stage Run has brought unforgettable souvenirs to each and every runner who has been part of it. When Andrew […]

Okay, you knew running around the base of Kilimanjaro was going to be a physical challenge, and you knew you were going to be camping every night.  You weren’t expecting – nor needed – any comforts of home.  Just give me a hot meal and flat spot to lay my sleeping bag after a dog-tiring […]

1. When the runners first meet at the Mbahe Farm Cottages. After trickling in to Tanzania on long flights originating from all corners of the world, runners arrive at Mbahe at different times where they meet Simon, the KSR support team, and each other.  Here they start to learn each other’s stories, motivations, and goals […]

During the eight stages of running the KSR, you will have the chance to encounter Tanzania and meet its people in a more personal and natural way than on any other trip. Each runner will immerse themselves in the experience their own way as you run along farm fields, past schools, shops, and tea houses, […]

This article from Trail Runner Magazine is helpful for thinking about the KSR . . . Five Ways to Know if a Stage Race Is for You . . . but with the following distinctions. The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is NOT: A Race.  We don’t keep time so you don’t have to worry about speed.  […]

There’s no other multi-day running event quite like the Kilimanjaro Stage Run.  It is authentic running tourism in which running is the mode of travel which allows you to experience deeply the many cultures and environments that envelope majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, while building bonds of friendship and teamwork. Past runners who have experienced the run […]

As you know, the Kilimanjaro Stage Run is a multiday run offering the opportunity to run 260km in 8 days, or stages, completely around Mount Kilimanjaro. Stage running is an ultra, but it requires a different set of training and racing skills than a single day ultrarun, regardless of length.  For a stage run, one […]

1. Remote Run ancient trails and footpaths far off the beaten path.   2. Fun Like Simon, express your joy of running through this amazing adventure playground!   3. Discover… … the world around you. Meet Tanzanians, share a smile, a laugh, a photo, a conversation, or a joyous trot together.   4. ChallengE Runners average […]

The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is an odyssey of exploration and a physical challenge. During the running days you burn a lot of calories! You will need several thousand calories every day. Our trained KSR camp chefs will prepare meals that will provide the nourishment needed for each day’s run. As an experienced trail runner with […]

At the conclusion of their own adventure, the 2016 KSR runners answered a simple question: “What advice would you give new runners attempting the KSR?”  Sit at the feet of these experts as they share their wisdom from 8 days and 260km on the trails around Kilimanjaro! Important Note: Click on the subtitles icon below […]

Chase your dreams in Africa on the Kilimanjaro Stage Run. At dinner before the start of the Kilimanjaro Stage Run (KSR), someone invariably asks, “What happens if a lion chases me?”  Simon Mtuy, the founder and lead guide for KSR, never falters in his response, “You don’t have to outrun the lion, you just have […]

1. Run with a Tanzanian ultrarunner who knows what he’s doing The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is led by Simon Mtuy, Tanzania’s foremost trail runner, expert mountain guide, world-record holder, and environmental and community development activist. Simon holds the world record fastest unsupported ascent/descent of Kilimanjaro (9 hr 21 min, round-trip, certified by Guinness). He was […]

Finally… here the Stage 8, the last one! After 7 days of hard running averaging more than 34km per day, this last day is relatively short with only a couple steep valleys. After ascending through a quiet forest path – reminiscent of the pine forest encountered way back on day 2, we come to an […]

One of the Kilimanjaro Stage Run runner wrote his impressions after his running experience with Simon in 2013…  

The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is much more than just a running race where you arrive, run, and go home. While on foot for eight days through one of the most beautiful areas of Tanzania, we make sure to take time to explore the environment, observe the birds and animals, and interact with the people we […]

In February, the KSR team partnered with the Running Heroes website and its community of enthusiastic runners to create a one week running challenge to compete for a spot in the Kilimanjaro Stage Run. Running Heroes is an internet platform that supports and encourages French and international runners to practice their favorite sport by rewarding […]

Mr. Brian Lasky joined Simon and other international runners on the 2015 Kilimanjaro Stage Run. Brian wanted to turn this adventure into a personal accomplishment. This 42 year old athlete was first and foremost a swimmer, but because he wanted to race in triathlons he had to start running.  He quickly got caught by the […]