
TRAVERSE RUN
31 MAY - 7 JUNE 2026
WILD AND RUGGED AFRICA
TRAVERSE RUN offers five stages of varied terrain, amazing scenery, and wildlife viewing. The course is raceable by the experienced, challenging to adventurers, and rewarding for all. The event takes place on fast single track, slow and technical single track, and double track safari roads.
Although our time cutoffs are lenient enough for most participants to finish, you should be aware that north Tanzania’s geography, flora and fauna — while spectacular to witness — are also formidable obstacles with which to contend. Runners will encounter challenging terrain, high elevations, thorns, wildlife and more thorns.
Though our food is both delicious and plenty, and the overall experience amazing, TRAVERSE is not a local Thanksgiving Trot. This is a VERY difficult event.
TRAVERSE is a call to challenge and true adventure.
COURSE INFO
The 2026 event will consist of:
Total distance approximately 235km (145 mi)
5 stages of 35-60km (22-37mi) each
Total climbing of 3500+m (11500ft)
Extremely varied terrain, geography and temperatures
Some very technical terrain, dust, and a lot of thorns
A climb to 3450m (11300ft) elevation on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau
The best finish line in sport — the hot springs at Lake Natron
Register interest for 2026 TRAVERSE RUN!
EVENT CATEGORIES
TRAVERSE RUN event categories are solo (male and female) and 2-person relay team.
Each member of a relay team must run a single, uninterrupted leg of every stage; one runner will begin the stage and the other will finish.
Each stage’s relay order may be determined independent of the order on other stages.
Teams will choose their relay exchange location from multiple checkpoint options each day. This allows runners of different abilities to participate together and still be competitive.
ACCOMMODATION
Default accommodation is shared, two runners to a tent, with comfortable ground mattresses provided.
Relay teams will be paired automatically into shared tents, and solo participants by joint request or random placement by gender (if no request is made).
Solo accommodation and/or VIP tents can be purchased as add-ons.
EVENT RULES
The 2026 event rules will be made available to runners in pre-event participant emails. However, we’d like to stress a few important rules here:
Don’t be disrespectful of or rude to others.
Don’t litter.
Any runner who does not complete a SINGLE STAGE, or who fails to complete ANY STAGE under the maximum allotted time, WILL be allowed to start the next stage, but will NOT be classified as an official finisher at the end of the event.
TRAVERSE RUN has a two strikes policy: any runner who fails to complete a SECOND STAGE — for any reason — will not be permitted to begin another stage. We do not require a two strikes runner to leave the event; he/she may continue with us in a support or spectator vehicle of the director’s choosing. Should the two strikes runner choose to leave the event, transport and any additional costs will be the responsibility of the runner.
Join the herd.
Subscribe to the TRAVERSE Tanzania email list.