Running for Change, Empowering the Future
About Colleen
Colleen is on a mission to defy limits, embrace fear, and empower the next generation of girls through her bold attempt to set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Mount Kilimanjaro. Partnering with The Cairn Project, she’s turning her audacious pursuit into a force for good, raising awareness and funding to expand outdoor opportunities for girls. Inspired by her Peace Corps experience, where she saw the transformative power of running on young women’s confidence, Colleen’s journey to the summit is about breaking records and proving that daring dreams can change lives.
The Cairn Project
The Cairn Project empowers and inspires the next generation of girls and women through outdoor adventure. By providing scholarships for outdoor programs and mobilizing a community of support under the motto “More Girls Outside,” the organization expands access to wilderness and education opportunities for girls across the U.S. It also serves as a hub for women passionate about the outdoors to connect, share stories, and amplify the visibility of women and girls in adventure spaces. Through its initiatives, The Cairn Project fosters self-esteem, resilience, and leadership in young women while creating a positive impact through outdoor exploration.
Colleen is partnering with The Cairn Project to turn this challenge into a fundraiser for the Summit Scholarship Foundation. Through this initiative, donations will go directly to the Summit Scholarship Foundation, expanding access to outdoor education for young women and ensuring that more girls have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of adventure.
Whether you’re someone who wants to see more women crushing records on the world stage, an individual who believes the outdoors is for all or a brand looking to partner, you can be part of this adventure.
Ways to Get Involved
DONATE > Every contribution goes directly to fund the Summit Scholarship Foundation
SPONSORSHIP > Align your brand with a bold, record-breaking journey
SHARE THE STORY > Share this story and think about ways you can amplify the stories of women and girls in the outdoors
Partners
Pushing Peaks, Opening Doors for the Next Generation
Mount Kilimanjaro
Colleen’s fascination with Kilimanjaro began in childhood, when her mom first read her a story about the iconic mountain. That spark of wonder never faded.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), making it the tallest free-standing mountain in the world—and one of the famed “Seven Summits,” representing the highest peak on each continent. The mountain is made up of three volcanic cones: Kibo (home to the summit), Mawenzi, and Shira.
There are seven official routes to climb Kilimanjaro:
- Marangu
- Machame
- Umbwe
- Lemosho
- Shira
- Northern Circuit
- Rongai
These routes converge at one of three main base camps, from which summit attempts begin via one of three approaches:
- South via Stella Point
- East via Gillman’s Point
- West up the more technical Western Breach
Descent is typically done via either the Marangu or Mweka routes.
Colleen will be attempting a supported FKT on the Northern Circuit, the longest and most remote route on Kilimanjaro. It’s a 53+ mile loop that climbs to Uhuru Peak and then descends via Barranco Camp back to the Lemosho trailhead – something rarely done and logistically complex due to Kilimanjaro National Park regulations.
Why the Northern Circuit?
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It’s the least-traveled route, circling the mountain with sweeping, 360° views.
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It reflects the spirit of this attempt: bold, challenging, off the beaten path.
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It has never been used for a FKT, making this making this effort a deliberate choice to carve a new path, both physically and symbolically.
Unlike these previous FKTs, Colleen’s effort will cover both the ascent and descent, navigating rugged, remote terrain in a continuous push
Before the official attempt, we’ll spend four days on a full recon of the route navigating every mile of the Northern Circuit ascent and descent.
Two key checkpoints – Pofu Camp (13,200 ft) and Barranco Camp (12,992 ft) – will serve as drop sites for gear, food, and supplies. During the recon, we’ll test our systems, fine-tune our pacing, and get eyes on every major terrain shift. From dialing in nutrition to double-checking technical gear, this recon will focus on removing as many unknowns as possible.
We’ll wrap the recon where we started: Lemosho Trailhead. After two nights of rest and final prep, we’ll step back onto the trail, this time for the real thing.
Adventure Reports
Kilimanjaro Fueling: FAQs from Our FKT Planning
08.01.25
Fueling for altitude is a whole different game. Your appetite disappears. Your gut rebels. Your cravings make no sense. We’ve been testing and tweaking for months and wrote about it in partnership with The Feed. But if you want the short version, here’s what we’ve learned (and how we’re carrying it with us to 19,341 ...
Permit Approved. Countdown On.
08.01.25
After weeks of waiting (and quietly wondering if bureaucracy would throw a wrench in things before altitude ever could), we got the green light: our Kilimanjaro permit is officially approved. And this isn’t your standard summit permit. To attempt the FKT on Kilimanjaro’s remote Northern Circuit, we had to apply for a rare, custom route ...
Route Locked In (sort of), Visas Pending
06.13.25
We’re officially in the thick of it: logistics, planning, spreadsheets, maps, and a healthy dose of nerves. Last week we submitted our visa applications (just under the wire, naturally), and now we wait for approval. It’s getting real. Over the long weekend, we locked in our proposed route for the FKT attempt. What’s wild about ...
Chasing the Northern Route: Why I’m Going for the Kilimanjaro Fastest Known Time
04.29.25
I’m chasing the fastest known time on Kilimanjaro’s wildest route—not for headlines, but to show what’s possible when women move with purpose. The Northern Circuit isn’t just a trail. It’s a call. A fight for visibility, access, and belonging. Read why this effort matters more than any before.
See Her Outside: DNF’s, Post-Race Blues, and Competition for Collaboration: Colleen’s Ultrarunning Story
02.24.25
Colleen MacDonald is an ultra and trail runner specializing in the 50 mile and 100 mile distances. Based in Colorado and Minnesota, Colleen is known for her unshakable grit and love of flying down technical descents. Read full story here.
Colleen: Ultra Runner, Adventurer, and Advocate for Empowerment
Colleen is an ultra runner driven by audacious goals and a deep desire to make a positive impact. The Kilimanjaro FKT embodies everything Colleen thrives on: embracing fear, defying odds, and proving that bold, improbable dreams are within reach. Equal parts determined and reflective, she sees this challenge as a way to conquer self-doubt while igniting her passion for adventure. Women are underrepresented in the elite endurance space, and this attempt is about proving that women belong in these high-stakes, high-altitude arenas. By taking on this challenge, Colleen wants to inspire female athletes, adventurers, and anyone who dares to dream big.
