The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is a challenging multi-day endurance running event.  It requires both physical and mental preparation.  Those who have done the training and planning will be positioned to reap the rewards from the experience.

Terrain is rugged and the trails are difficult.  KSR participants should be experienced distance runners with endurance events and long trail runs in their history. They should be familiar with the physical and mental training required for running long distances, as well as an understanding of their own body’s hydration and nutrition needs during an endurance activity.

The advice and recommendations below are specific to the Kilimanjaro Stage Run.
they should be used to supplement your own accumulated knowledge.

The Kilimanjaro Stage Run is 260 kilometers of running (and walking) over 8 days. You will be running/walking upwards of 30km every day for several days, all at elevations between 1400 and 2100 meters.  While speed is not important, pacing and recovery are. Except for about 8km on paved road, the KSR route is exclusively on dirt trails and roads. There are no flat sections. Inclines range from gentle to extremely steep climbs and descents, with sections of rugged, narrow, slippery, rocky, or non-existent trails. The more that you can mimic these conditions in your training, the better prepared you will be. Train on trails whenever possible — the more hilly and rougher, the better. Prepare for sections that require walking. All runners do a significant amount of walking due to fatigue or steep/narrow trails. Furthermore, as you may encounter a range of weather conditions on the run – from cool to hot, bone dry to damp and wet – train also in all types of weather.

It is not necessary to run excessive weekly mileage in order to complete and enjoy the KSR. Still, regular long runs (several hours) are important to establish a solid base of running. Long distance running training will strengthen your legs and help you learn the hydration, energy (food) intake, and electrolyte replacement strategies that work best for you, in order to sustain you for each day’s run and help you recover and be strong for the next day. In training, you should learn to stress your body, then replenish fluids and nutrients to aid recovery. You will not be able to replicate during training the 8 successive days of long running, but you should develop the ability to stress, rest, and recover. You want to be able to run at a pace that does not over-tax your body so that it breaks down or is too sore or too stiff to undertake another long run the next day.

Do your training runs with the gear and the drinking/eating routine you EXPECT TO use during the KSR.