36%. That’s the number of runners that have DNF’s or Short Coursed so far. Many of which came today. The Jungle is unforgiving, and even the most experienced ultra-runners can find themselves facing the difficult choice to end their race.

Stage 4 was, as expected, nothing short of brutal. Often regarded by veterans as one of the most punishing days in any stage race on Earth, today delivered a relentless onslaught of jungle born agony. Scrambles up knife-edge ridgelines, shoe-stealing mud, thigh-deep river crossings, stifling humidity, and a sun that blazed at every turn.

This wasn’t a day for pace. It was a day for patience, persistence, and grit. The course tested not just fitness, but the ability to manage hydration, nutrition, and morale. Navigation was slow going, and the checkpoint 3 cut off loomed large for many. Only those who pushed past this in time were allowed to tackle the notorious Queen/King of the Hill section, a vertical monster climb that promised sweat and glory.

Leading the charge among today’s finishers was Nick Sunderland, who completed the stage in a blistering 5:36:00, a standout effort that places him firmly at the front of the Men’s race. His dominance in this terrain puts him as a potential winner if he avoids coming unstuck on Stage Five.

David Nicolas (6:39:00), Harry Davidson (6:42:00), and Lewis Woodcock (6:50:00) also produced exceptional performances in the men’s race, all finishing in well under seven hours and showing serious strength and endurance.

It was domination from Tarryn Gordon-Bennet today, storming through the course alongside running partners Andre and Jared in 6:59:00 and firmly establishing her as the Women’s overall number one. It’s all in Tarryn’s hands now, all she has to do to win is keep up the pace on the final stage.

Elsewhere on the women’s podium, Ioana Barbu powered through the wild terrain to finish in 7:49:00, bringing her total time to 23:59:00 and just four minutes behind Women’s overall second Morgane Rivière. Morgane was just behind today with an 8:00:00 stage finish and a cumulative time of 23:54:00, keeping the women’s race tight and thrilling.

Checkpoint 3 had a strict mandatory cut-off. Those unable to reach the point in time were redirected back to camp via a shorter, safer route. Between the cut-off and early Stage DNF’s more than a dozen runners end their race on stage four. For many, it was a frustrating but necessary reminder that in the jungle, survival comes before speed. Completing any part of the Jungle Ultra requires grit, courage and determination, and each and every runner that had the bravery to attempt the cpurse should hold their heads high with pride.

• Christine Horner, Clare Sims, and Dawn Cassey all crossed the line together in 10:43:00, displaying camaraderie and shared resolve. Their consistent pacing places them close together in the overall standings.
• American Keith Montgomery and Japanese Tomoya Yamada both broke 10 hours, finishing in 9:47:00 and 9:25:00 respectively, solid performances on a savage course.

With sore legs, soaked clothes, and fresh respect for the Jungle runners now rest at Villa Carmen, grateful for the rare luxury of toilets and showers. However, the race isn’t over yet and while today’s Jungle course may have ended races for some, it’s also revealed the fiercest contenders for the full finish.