JUNGLE ULTRA / Stage Four

“The hardest thing I’ve ever done, harder than any other BTU race.” Ben Harrison
Day four of the Jungle Ultra is what the runners have all been waiting for. 35km of brutal Jungle terrain. Relentless climbs, biting ants, river crossings and knee deep muck were made all the harder by sweltering heat and high humidity.
The terrain today favoured trail runners and those good on slippy, technical descents (as there are plenty), one slip of concentration could result in a nasty fall.
Beginning the state with a send off from the villagers of Huacaria, the team set off into the Jungle, passing Pineapple and Coca plantations before hitting a number of river crossings. From this point on they’d be the only humans (outside of scattered indigenous tribes) for hundreds of miles as they followed machete cut trails deep into the Amazon.
Thigh deep rivers provided a much needed cool-down as the temperatures soared, and the widest of rivers were forded by small inflatable rafts operated by our Peruvian Guides.
The real challenge came after CP2, where miles of undulating terrain punished the runners, breaking down their mental and physical strength with attack after attack. After zip-lining into CP3 the runners faced either the short course or the long course, and after a brief medical check they mosied on to their chosen path. Those completing the short course will no longer have an official Jungle Ultra time, but they have every right to call themselves true adventurers, testing themselves against the most challenging parts of the course.
Those taking the long course would spend hours slogging up a huge tree covered hill along yet more Jungle paths, listening to the whooping howl of monkeys and the cawing of parrots as they progressed. Bees, bugs and ants plagued the runners on this seven kilometre stretch before they made it into camp at Villa Carmen, a beautiful eco research station next to which they’ll spend the night.
Ben Harrison (6hrs 19mins) rolled in in first place in the race, just behind Peruvian runner Reuben who now leads the local race. Behind Ben came Eleonoora Hintsa, smashing through the course in (6hrs 37mins).
In the Men’s race Matthew Mayers and Inia Raumatic followed Ben across the line in 6hrs 46mins and 6hrs 55mins respectively.
In the Women’s race, Jemma Harding followed suit a few hours after Eleonoora in 7hrs 22mins, and Kate Smyth rounded out the podium once again (8hrs 38mins).
It’s all to play for going into stage five! A hour separates first and second place in the Men’s race, can Ben hold off Stephane and complete the entire BTU Global Race Series with a victory? The final spot on the podium is also all up in the air. Mark Reily currently holds third place, but between him and seventh placed Matthew Mayers is only thirty minutes. Across a 70km stage 30 minutes is a tiny margin so it really is all to play for. In the fight for third is Mark Reilly, Marshall Maine, Inia Raumati, Scott McDonald and Matthew Mayers.
As for the Women’s race Eleonoora Hinsta blasts into first place after an exceptional Stage Four. Hinsta finished second overall, just fifteen minutes behind overall leader Ben Harrison. Almost exactly an hour behind Eleonoora comes Kate Smyth, who’s consistent pace had kep her right in amongst it. She’ll need to move quickly though, as Jemma Harding sits just forty minutes behind. Tough to close but not impossible. Lynsie Miller falls down the order slightly, an hour behind Jemma after a tough run of luck in Stages 3 and 4.