Run the Jungle Marathon in Peru

June

Month

Kilometers

Runners

Multiple

Stage

Trail

Pt-to-Pt

Extreme

Elevation

About the Race

WHY RUN IT?

With all the desert stage races going on, the Jungle Marathon offers a much-needed dose of geologic diversity to ultrarunners. Now, when you’re choosing where to run 250 kilometers in 100°F, you can opt for the dry heat of the desert or 99% humidity in the Amazon. But like other stage races, you will still need to be self-sufficient, meaning you will need to carry your own food, clothing, sun protection, and other gear. Water is provided along the course, but you could be carrying more than a liter at any time, weighing down an already heavy pack.

“Wild rejoice in jungles not in cages.”

- Pushpa Rana

If you decide to take on the Jungle Marathon, be ready to get wet. There are multiple swamp and river crossings, many so deep you have to swim across, praying there are no piranhas nearby. Short downpours are also common. As you can imagine, this humid environment is perfect for insects, who thrive under the Amazon rainforest canopy. There are many things the race organizers can guard against, but insect bites aren’t one of them. You’ll be briefed on what to watch for, but actually avoiding dangerous critters is up to you. It’s definitely not a race for the faint of heart. But if you get through it, you will be able to say you’ve run one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.