JUNGLE ULTRA / Stage Three 🌳

Full Stage Results and write up - www.beyondtheultimate.co.uk/c...
Stage Three of the Jungle Ultra started with a bang!
Ziplining across a raging river onto a small island, our runners were then set off in waves to take on their fiercest challenge yet.
Hours of sweltering jungle followed. As the temperature rose, so too did the runners as they climbed hundreds of meters of mud-slick trails and ladder-like roots along machete-cut trails.
Slippery rocks made river crossings treacherous and various jungle creatures showed themselves. Runners encountered monkeys, snakes and ants along the trail, giving them a wide berth and leaving with cautious respect for their surroundings.
After leaving the Jungle the runners dropped down through the valley and into Huacaria, an indigenous village where the runners will spend their night. Village children joined the runners for the last hundred metres, their laughter and smiles provided a much needed uplift in the gruelling heat.
The first Woman across the line was Jemma Harding, who really came into her own on the rough stuff today. Jemma bounded over the line in 4hrs 59mins. Jemma was followed by the ever-consistent Kate Smyth (5hrs 42mins), and Ioana Barbu (6hrs 26mins). Lynsie Miller finished a minute behind Ioana in 6hrs 27mins, in touching distance of yet another podium place. Can Lynsie make it back to the front tomorrow?
In the Men’s race, Ben Harrison pushed himself into an overall lead with a 4hrs 4mins finish, taking to the trails like a bearded mountain goat, although an unfortunate mistake may cause some dietary troubles… (watch our instagram update video to find out why). Mark Reilly (4hrs 19mins) followed in fine form, with Augustus Royds just behind in 4hrs 42mins.