School calls runners and hikers to join Mount Kilimanjaro event for education in Africa

ARUSHA, Tanzania - July 17, 2013 - PRLog -- The School of St Jude (http://www.schoolofstjude.org/index.html) officially launched its Ultimate Kilimanjaro Challenge (http://www.schoolofstjude.org/VisitUs/mtkili.html), an 18-day tourism, marathon and mountain climbing event kicking off in February of 2014 in Northern Tanzania.

“Our Ultimate Challenge calls on people of all nationalities, ages and fitness levels to combine their love of adventure with their desire to extend life-changing educational opportunities to African children,” says Kim Saville, Director of International Relations of The School of St Jude.

At 19,341 feet (5,895 metres) above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain. It is classified as a stratovolcano, which means it is formed by relatively flat layers of lava and other materials. Climbing it involves six days of moderate hiking, with overnight stays at camps where hot meals are served.

Nowadays, an estimated 25,000 people climb the mountain each year.

To top the Ultimate Challenge off, participants can choose to run a full 42-km marathon, a 21-km half-marathon or a lighter 5K itinerary.

The race will take place in Moshi, a town with 180,000 residents at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The marathon, going into its 12^th year, is officially recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Anyone can opt to take part in just one of the two sporting events.

The program includes bus tours of communities and markets of the Maasai, an ethnic group of seminomadic people in Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Participants will stay in individual rooms with bathrooms on The School of St Jude’s grounds.

The proceeds of the Ultimate Kilimanjaro Challenge will buy school supplies, hot meals and uniforms for 1,650 children in Tanzania who are receiving a completely free, high-quality education at St Jude’s.  The school, located across three campuses, also provides boarding for 1,100 students, and employs 400 Tanzanians.

St Jude’s organized its first Kilimanjaro challenge in 2010. Next year will mark the school’s first sports event combining running and climbing.

For additional information and photos, click here (http://www.schoolofstjude.org/VisitUs/mtkili.html).