Kilimanjaro Marathon: Moshi course, hills and 2027 date

Kilimanjaro Marathon 2027: date, venue, entry

Date: Sunday 7 February 2027.

Venue: all races finish at MoCU Stadium in Moshi. The full marathon starts in the stadium at 06:30, the half marathon at the MoCU gate on Sokoine Road at 07:00, and the 5 km fun run on Uru Road at 07:30.

Races: a 42.2 km full marathon, a 21.1 km half marathon and a 5 km fun run. The 2027 full marathon is an official Comrades qualifier.

Fees for Tanzanian and East African citizens, including Kenyans: Tsh 55,000 for the full or half marathon and Tsh 20,000 for the fun run. Tanzania and East Africa residents with work permits, and SADC citizens: US$55, US$55 and US$17. International runners: US$80, US$80 and US$20. Proof of nationality is checked at number collection, and card payments on the website are charged in South African rand.

Registration: entries opened on 19 October 2026 and close at midnight on 15 December 2026, or earlier if the race fills. You can enter online or through Mixx by Yas.

Race numbers: collect yours before race day in Dar es Salaam (29 to 31 January, Mlimani City Mall), Arusha (2 and 3 February, Kibo Palace Hotel) or Moshi (4 to 6 February, MoCU Stadium). There is no collection on race day. Race pack contents are not listed.

Official website: www.kilimanjaromarathon.com (online entries: kili.topevents.co.za)

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official race website; confirm details there before you enter.

The course

The full marathon leaves MoCU Stadium and climbs north towards the mountain, gaining about 290 m in the first 8 km while the morning is cool. Between about 8 and 10 km it follows a dirt road through farms and schools, then joins Lema Road for a long run back downhill.

At around 19 km the full marathon breaks away from the half, turning past the Moshi Club and over the Old German Bridge, then looping back along the same road. The last kilometres wind down an avenue of shady trees and back into the stadium. The organisers grade and water the dirt sections before the race to keep the dust down.

The organiser says the 2027 full marathon route is still to be confirmed. Our map follows the 2025 course, and our line covers about 42.0 km.

What the race is known for

The race was set up to promote running and tourism in Tanzania, and it now draws runners from up to 45 nationalities alongside Tanzania's own rising athletes. Race weekend fills Moshi with runners and supporters, so the organisers advise booking hotels early.

Running it

Plan for the hills and the surface:

• Hold back on the early climb: the hardest part comes in the first 8 km.
• Expect dirt sections, so shoes with some grip help.
• The course is marshalled with traffic control but roads are not fully closed, so stay alert.
• Collect your number in the days before the race; there is no race-day collection.

Frame your race

We print the Kilimanjaro Marathon on the real terrain around Moshi, with your route raised in colour. Add your name, date and finish time, and if you also climbed the mountain, pair it with a map of your route to Uhuru Peak.