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
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.
The current female ascent FKT is held by Kristina Shou Madson, a Danish ultra runner. Kristina set the FKT in February 2018 on the Mweka route in 6 hours and 52 minutes.
The current male ascent FKT is held by Karl Egloff, a Swiss ultra runner. Karl set the FKT on August 2014 on the Umbwe route in 4 hours and 56 minutes.
Mweka Route
The Mweka Route is typically used for descent but has been the primary choice for past FKT attempts due to its shortest distance and better support access.
Advantages:
- Logistically easiest with more support access and flexibility.
- Better adaptability, making it easier to adjust for weather and conditions.
- Strong historical precedent, as it has been used for most FKT attempts.
Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is one of longest routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360-degree views and a sense of solitude on the lesser-traveled northern slopes. It begins by following the Lemosho Route for the first few days before diverging.
Challenges:
- Logistically complex due to its remote nature.
- Not used for FKTs, making it an unconventional but rewarding challenge.
- Lengthy route increases the risk of fatigue and prolonged exposure to changing weather conditions
Adventure Reports
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.
