In skyrunning, a vertical kilometer is an uphill mountain running race with an elevation gain of 1,000 metres.

The Vertical Kilometer World Circuit also defines it as covering less than 5 km.

[1] Trekking poles, which are allowed as optional accessories, are often used in vertical kilometer races.

[1] The women's world record is 34:44, set in Fully, Switzerland by French skyrunner Christel Dewalle.

[3] The circuit consists of 17 races that are held annually from May to October.