Vertical 1KM
Climb 1,000m (3,281 feet) of elevation on foot, as fast as you can. The quicker you get there, the more tickets you earn.
Once it's installed, find The Vertical 1KM in the Challenges feed.
A vertical kilometre. On the clock.
Gain 1,000m of elevation on foot as fast as you can. Your time to get there is your score, and the faster it is, the more tickets you earn.
It's outdoor running only, tracked on a GPS wearable. Log your time in the Harry's app, and if you reckon there's a faster one in you, have another crack. Your latest approved entry replaces the last one.
Get up there fast.
Every qualifying climb earns tickets into Harry's monthly prize draw. The faster your 1,000m, the more you get.
Resubmit any time in the window. Your latest approved entry replaces the last one.
1,000m up. Outdoors only.
Your climb has to be run outdoors between Saturday 1 August 2026 and Sunday 1 November 2026. Any of these and it won't count.
Less than 1,000m of elevation gain.
Doesn't countOn a treadmill or indoors.
Doesn't countNot tracked on a GPS wearable.
Doesn't countMissing distance, elapsed time, pace or heart rate.
Doesn't countRun outside the challenge window.
Doesn't countTracking & Submission
- GPS wearable: COROS, Garmin, Apple Watch, Strava, etc.
- Your activity has to show at least 1,000m of elevation gain, plus distance, elapsed time, pace and heart rate.
- Upload image proof such as your watch data, Strava data or a selfie, and add your activity link if you have one.
- Enter your time: how long it took you to gain 1,000m. That's your score on the leaderboard.
- Issues? ethan@hardcoreharrys.com.au
How To Enter
Vertical 1KM is free to enter with the Harry's Challenges app, and the app is free to download. Join it from the Challenges feed and start hunting for hills.
Enter in app Already in the app? Open The Vertical 1KMShow full disclaimer
Participation is voluntary and at your own risk.
You confirm you are in good physical health and assume all liability for any injuries. Hardcore Harry's AU PTY LTD reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates submission rules. Repeated violations may lead to removal from the challenge.What is a vertical kilometre?
A vertical kilometre, or VK, is an effort that climbs 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) of elevation. The classic VK races come from mountain running and skyrunning, where the course goes almost straight up a steep slope and the clock is all that matters.
Because the distance is short and the gradient is savage, a VK is closer to a long climb than a run. Most people end up power hiking with their hands on their knees, and good pacing beats a fast start every time.
You don't need a mountain to try one. Any route with enough climbing gets you there, and your GPS watch keeps count of the metres you gain.
- Elevation gain
- The total height you climb. Downhills don't take any of it away.
- Power hiking
- Fast, deliberate walking uphill, often quicker than running on steep ground.
- 1,000m
- The VK target: a full kilometre straight up.
From download to the draw.
- 1
Download Harry's
Free on the App Store and Google Play.
- 2
Join the challenge
Find The Vertical 1KM in the Challenges feed and tap join. It's free to enter.
- 3
Do it. Prove it.
Track it with your watch or a running app, then log it in the Harry's app with a screenshot or your Strava link.
- 4
Climb the board
Every entry goes on the leaderboard, and earns your shot at the prizes.
The Vertical 1KM challenge, explained.
More challenges like this.
How Fast Can You Climb?
Vertical 1KM runs Sat 1 Aug to Sun 1 Nov 2026. Download Harry's, join for free, and go find your 1,000m.