In the shadow of Kilimanjaro

The Kilimanjaro Marathon attracts thousands of runners from across the globe to the steep roads around Moshi in Tanzania. Incredible views, cheering crowds, a party vibe and plenty of camaraderie offset the brutal hills say the South African runners we spoke to after the 23rd edition in February 2025. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday the 22nd of March.

WHAT A MAGICAL MARATHON!

By Channelle Makhele

I’m a senior manager at MTN, a runner, hockey enthusiast, and full- time mom to two tiny but mighty bosses, Rileigh and Reese. I'm all about giving back to communities, lifting others and chasing the next finish line, whether in the boardroom or through every step, and the post-race on the open road!

My most recent challenge was the Kilimanjaro Marathon, a wild ride that tested my legs, lungs and willpower (because, wow, those hills!).

This was my second marathon but my first time running the Kilimanjaro Marathon - and what an experience! Running with Mount Kilimanjaro towering in the background was absolutely surreal. The camaraderie among runners was incredible, and the energy was contagious - I don't think I stopped smiling the whole way (okay, maybe on those uphill stretches).

The course is a rollercoaster, literally, with rolling hills, stunning landscapes, and locals cheering like you're in the Olympics. The sheer passion of the Tanzanian crowd fuels you through every step, and the post-race celebration in Moshi? Unmatched! Trust me, these folks know how to throw a proper after-party.

The one thing that could be better managed is the final stretch leading to the stadium. After 42km, the last thing you want is to be dodging through a crowd of runners who have already finished! The road was pretty congested, and I found myself bobbing and weaving like a rugby player just to get through. Some clear crowd control or a separate lane for finishers would definitely help.

What would I do differently? For starters? Train more for those hills! The elevation changes are no joke - just when you think you've conquered one, another sneaks up on you. Next time, I'd add more hill sprints and endurance training to my prep.

Lastly, I would plan more time post-race to explore Tanzania, because why not turn it into a full-blown adventure? This year, the marathon conquered, we detoured to Zanzibar to enjoy the blue water and warm weather, but there's so much more to see and do.

SUCH A PARTY VIBE

By Michelle Kilpin

What stands out for me at the Kilimanjaro Marathon are the vibe and the scenery. To run with the glorious Mount Kilimanjaro looming above you is the most awesome experience in itself. Then going up through the most beautiful coffee plantations with local people cheering you on all the way, kids running beside you and other runners smiling and chatting as you go up, is such a fun and wonderful experience! I know I'm biased (I work for the brand), but that ice-cold Kilimanjaro Premium Lager at the end is what makes it all worth it!

It's not just a race, it's a whole weekend party where people flood to the town of Moshi even if they aren't participating just to experience the vibe that goes alongside the marathon. Kilimanjaro Premium Lager not only sponsors the marathon but also put on a great show with local and international artists, ice-cold beer and a great vibe for the entire weekend.

I did the marathon in 2022 and the half marathon this year, which for a weekend runner like me was far more enjoyable. Even so, there are plenty of hills. The track goes up for 10.5km and down for 10.5km. If you are looking for a good time, try to get to the start early so you can get to the front - it can be an incredibly slow start if you are near the back half of the field. There's also lots of traffic leaving the finish. My advice would be to grab another cold Kili and leave later.

My recommendation to anyone taking on the 21.1km is not to go for your PB but rather just enjoy the whole experience; soak in the scenery, the people and the whole vibe. It's fun!

EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

By Marike van Niekerk

I loved everything about this event, from the excitement of travelling to Kilimanjaro (a first for me!) to the electric energy of race morning and, of course, the magnificent views. Kili was in full show-off mode, and running through the lush forest was even more spectacular than I had imagined.

I've never run a race with this many participants. When you look ahead, all you see is an endless stream of runners, winding up the hills like a yellow human ribbon. You can actually see the elevation of the hills in the crowd! And then there's the view- nothing beats running with mighty Kilimanjaro watching over you.

For the Kili, I've learned that it's not about the run time, it's about the fun time! Next time, I won't stress about pace or a personal best. Instead, I'll soak in the atmosphere, high-five more runners, and make sure to stay longer than just a weekend. This race - and this part of Tanzania - deserves it!

My one complaint is that I missed out on my 'bragging rights' t-shirt as the organisers had run out of stock. The timing chips also didn't start properly, which threw off the official times a little. But honestly, none of that took away from the magic of the event! This race isn't about PBs, it's about chasing an EE, or exceptional experience.

After the event, we headed for the Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate. What a phenomenal piece of Africa! It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable weekend.

INCREDIBLE VIEWS

By Marli Lombard

This was my first-ever half marathon and being able to experience this monumental run at the foot of Kilimanjaro, between the villages and up and down the winding roads, was simply amazing - and humbling.

I loved the organised and welcoming race number collection in Dar es Salaam (the Moshi registration ran out of T-shirts which wasn't so nice for my travel companions), the incredible views on the course around Moshi, the different terrain-tar, gravel and a few bridges over beautiful streams - and getting to finish and receiving my first-ever race medal. There were plenty of water, coke and fruit stands along the way, and the mist tents were a welcome way to cool down in the February heat.

I'll definitely be back, but next time I'll take it easier on the last 2km - it was incredibly taxing. For anyone thinking of taking on this race, just take note of the 300m elevation gain! Walk those uphills if you need to so you can store your energy for the very fun downhills. I'll also fly into Moshi much earlier (we arrived only the day before the race) so I can properly experience and explore this beautiful part of the world.

TRULY MEMORABLE

By Tlou Masehela & Eric Ndou

We travelled to Moshi to tackle both the Kilimanjaro marathon and the mountain itself. We didn't really know what to expect, although we knew it wasn't going to be easy. We booked through an agency, which at least made the logistics a breeze. All we had to focus on was being as fit as possible.

The marathon itself was awesome: the interesting terrain, the amazing support along the route and the great music (almost 80% South African) at the water points! What a vibe.

We rested up for two days after the event - and then set off to conquer the peak itself. The trip up to the summit and back took five days that were never the same, from the terrain to the unpredictable weather. The skies were mostly clear, but it was windy and cold. But the views were always amazing, particularly from the alpine dessert section and, of course, from the top. They made up for those long, steep walks (anything from three to seven hours) during the day, and the freezing cold nights sleeping in a tent in howling winds (and even snow on one occasion).

Even though we are both long- distance runners, and do a few trail runs, we still found some segments of the climb very hard to navigate. The elevation was a big test, gaining over 600m each day. The body feels it. Around day three, the muscle aches start kicking in and you have to dig really deep - mentally, emotionally and physically.

On the day we summited, we set off from Kibo Hut in very strong winds. The seven-hour climb seemed never- ending. The cold was just unbearable, making this day more challenging than running Comrades. But it was an amazing feeling to get to the top and know we could be counted among those South Africans who have climbed and summited Africa's highest mountain.