Jungle Marathon 2007 Media Information
Stage 6
Our Caribbean stage set off at 0600 hrs, giving the runners the chance to get going before the sun was too strong.Stage six is run entirely along beaches along the shores of the Tapajos. The stage includes three creek crossings, a welcome relief to the runners to cool down from he baking sun shine.
This years stage six was no exception in that the majority of runners had foot problems and found it tough to hobble to the finish. \but, with steely determination they managed to cover the 31 km and by 1400 hrs the entire field were back in Alter do Chao and enjoying lunch at the finish line.
The evening was spent celebrating at the Amazon Park hotel in Santarem.
Stage 5 Report
The longest and most feared stage of the race began with a 150m swim across a creek, meaning that most of the runners started a 90km stage with wet feed.The first 48 km of the 90km took the runners into the jungle, with the steepest and longest climbs of the race so far, coupled with steep descents and a number of small creeks crossings.
All but 6 competitors made it out of jungle before the 16:45 dark zone, and many choose to sleep for a few hours in Piquiatuba or one of the other communities along the trail.
Elton Bastos do Santos this years favourite, was far ahead of the field for the first 75km, but the sadly collapsed by the side of the trail for exhaustion and he had to be evacuated by the medical team.
First non Brazilian home was Mark Jaget from Las Vegas - who despite the most hideous of blisters reached the finish line in 15 hours
Stage 4 Report
Stage 2 took its toll on most of the field but even more so two of the faster runners both of whom were evacuated from the race with a heat stroke. Jungle Marathon takes place in an extreme location which offers dangers unique to the environment. Every measure is taken to minimise risk and provide safety, as two of our medics and our ambulance boat were away from race location, it was unthinkable to to continue without full support so stage 3 became a rest day.Rather than miss the chance to see both stages, todays stage was a combination of the best (& worst) of stage 3 and stage 4
The stage began in Paraiso on a community trail taking runners into the jungle after 7km - then a further 25km of big climbs and descents the largest swamp crossing and a 200m swim across a creek. Runners arrived 100km refresh and animated, looking forward to the challenge of the 90km stage ahead.
Tonight will be spent in the community of Tauari, where runners get the chance to swim in a beautiful creek& relax before the taxing stage ahead.
Stage 3 Report
Due to logistical reasons stage 3 didn't take place, today.The race will continue tomorrow.
Stage 2 Report
Stage 2 was not without its casualties. 25km of mud, swamp & hills took its toll & by the end of stage two the total drop out total of runners has risen to 10.The weather yesterday may have leaded runners into a false sense of security as it was unusually cool, but with the baking heat today & a lot of humidity, runners began to suffer from heat exhaustion & dehydration.
As the Brazilian runner Marcie Vielar reached Checkpoint 2 today he met a jaguar& reported that. He never ran faster in his life!
Runner are now eating attending to blister& cuts & relaxing at the campsite in Paraiso, apprensive about the 43km stage tomorrow.
Stage 1 Report
Heavy rain these last two days meant that todays stage was very muddy & slippery underfoot. Few runners managed to complete the stage without at least one fall.By C.P. 1 the first runner had withdrawn, closely followed by two more at CP 2. Their withdraws were attributed to nausea and dehydration.
Todays stage was a short and difficult introduction to the race. 18 km of steep ascents & descents, a water crossing at the start and rope crossing across a deep creek.
The stage winner, Paulo Robson Almeda Sousa from Brazil finished the stage in a fast 2 hours 40 minutes and first first female was Jaqueline Terto
Runners are now challenging at a campsite and relaxing before 25km tomorrow which promises lots of mud & water.
Junglemarathon - Arrival
Early this afternoon after an 8 hour boat ride, runners and support staff arrived at Itapuama, the base camp for Jungle Marathon.This afternoon was dedicated to briefings kit checks & medical & gave the competitors a chance to pack& repack their kit, play football with the locals, and swim in the 32?C waters of the Tapajos river.
Tomorrow will be dedicated to jungle training in the morning and then the inaugurated Mini Jungle Marathon, a kiddies marathon for the children who live in the communities in the jungle, will be started in the afternoon.
