Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 66, January 2015 | Page 29

My Story

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‘Jogging’ in the Jungle
Voted by CNN as ‘the most difficult and wildest
eco race on the planet’, The Jungle Marathon is
an extreme seven-day 275km footrace through
the Amazon Jungle in Brazil, and SA’s Anthony
Erasmus was there to experience it. Here are
some extracts from his ‘race diary.’

A

rriving via river boat at base camp in the Flona Tapajos National Park,
surrounded by unspoilt jungle on the banks of the Amazon River, the
Bombeiros (jungle military firemen) briefed us on a list of warnings:
Plants to avoid, creatures we may encounter and what to do if lost.
Our race packs were kitted with food, hammock, T-shirt, shorts, socks
and 2½ litres of water – all weighing in at 13kg.
Stage 1 – 27km (Running time: 7:51)
The terrain was undulating, with 14 steep hills of 50 to 250m, roots of the massive
trees forming vertical buttresses 40cm high, and muddy marshes in between. The
leaves fill the spaces between trees, making the jungle track look flat! The going
was tough and slow…
Stage 2 – 28km (8:54)
Water points were stationed every 10km with dehydration a major threat, as you
sweat profusely. I found myself taking in 15 litres of water, electrolyte drinks and
energy supplements in water! I made a point of stopping every hour to check the
colour of my urine. You learn to read your body.
Stage 3 – 34km (8:39)
In the second half the terrain eased and it actually became a ‘run’, not a hike/
power walk. You’re told to shuffle your feet when entering rivers to chase away
electric rays, but thankfully the Anacondas are shy and hide in the swamps. Ticks,
however, are not shy, and infest your legs and nether regions.

to continue until the following morning, because it was considered too dangerous
to traverse after dark! Nearly half the field didn’t make it. Cody and I pushed
ourselves and made it at 2:30pm, then got to checkpoint seven at 4:30pm and
decided to take a break. There was a ‘foot medic’ there, and I needed him - I ha