Stage One of the Jungle Ultra kicked off in the crisp, thin air of the Wayqecha Biological Research Station, perched high in the Andes at 3,000m above sea level. Runners lined up under clearing mist and cool skies, the vast valley sprawling out below them, an immediate and humbling reminder of the wild journey ahead.

From the startline, the route plunged runners straight into a rocky mountain track that quickly gave way to the jungle’s embrace. Dense undergrowth, slippery roots, and steep switchbacks led the way to the first major challenge, a sharp descent into a riverbed crossing that set the tone for the rest of the day. The rope-assisted climb that followed tested both grip and grit, as athletes hauled themselves up moss-covered rock faces before emerging back onto the open trail.

The first 10 kilometers treated runners to five distinct ecosystems, an astonishing transition of flora, fauna, and terrain that showcased the raw beauty and diversity of this protected region. As the descent continued, altitude gave way to humidity, and runners found themselves enveloped in the warmth of the cloud forest, their breathing easing as elevation dropped but the technicality remained high.

In the Men’s Race, blazing through the course with unmatched speed and mountain agility, Harry Davidson took first place in 3:11:00, showing early dominance and strong altitude acclimatisation. Close behind him, Nick Sunderland (3:42:00) and David Nicolas (3:48:00) completed the men’s podium, both navigating the jungle with power and precision.

On the Women’s side, Morgane Rivière was the clear standout, finishing in 3:49:00 and showcasing incredible strength on both the climbs and technical descents. Ioana Barbu and Tarryn Gordon-Bennett tied in both time (4:09:00) and determination, earning second and third in the women’s race, respectively.

Deep in the field, strong efforts and powerful stories emerged:

• Matthew Mayers (4:12:00) kept a strong, steady pace through all terrain transitions on his second Jungle Ultra effort
• Ashley Radford and Sophie Laidlaw (both 5:03:00) worked together through dense sections
• Christine Horner (6:16:00) and Jessica Dicks (6:38:00) embraced the long day with resilience, navigating the final technical descent into camp as the light began to dim
• Bringing determined energy to the final stretch, Sherief Elabd (7:06:00), the Jungle Rats (7:09:00) and Sunny Tsang (9:36:00) arrived at camp just as evening closed in, the jungle echoing with the sounds of nightfall

Live track the race: https://btu.extrac.uk