Stage Three of the Jungle Ultra lived up to its name, Solo Aguanta, a fitting mantra meaning “just hold on!” From the very first moment, it was clear this would be a test of grit, agility, and resilience.

The day began in exhilarating fashion with a white-water rafting section, hurling runners across a churning, wide river. Adrenaline pumping and senses heightened, competitors disembarked into the dense jungle, quickly faced with a gauntlet of slippery river crossings and three steep, punishing climbs under the humid canopy.

The climbs came thick and fast, each ascent clawing at already tired legs from Stage One and Two. Hidden under the thick foliage, roots and vines made every step a gamble. While the trees offered shelter from the sun, they provided little relief from the oppressive humidity. Any lull was short-lived, and runners were constantly on alert, balancing the need for pace with caution across wet rocks and unstable ground.

By midday, the trail transitioned into a single, winding path, brutally exposed and winding through the open terrain. Energy sapped from bodies as the stage became a war of attrition.

As runners approached the village of Santa Rosa de Huacaria, weary legs were granted a bittersweet reward. Children from the village ran out to meet the competitors, joining them joyfully for the final few hundred meters.

At camp, nestled behind the village, a gently flowing river welcomed runners for a much needed swim. This evening, the local children performed a traditional dance. A moment of cultural exchange, with many runners joining in despite their exhaustion.

On the men’s side, Nick Sunderland claimed the stage win in a lightning-fast 4:50:00, breaking through the jungle like a force of nature and pushing himself into the front of the men’s overall rankings. He was followed by David Nicolas (5:52:00) and Jared Coetzer (6:02:00), both grinding out strong performances on the treacherous course. Race Leader Harry Davidson experienced a bout of sickness mid-stage that dropped him back two hours behind his lead rival, and dropping him into second place overall.

For the women, Tarryn Gordon-Bennett took a commanding lead with a powerful run, finishing in 6:08:00, and holding off Ioana Barbu (7:10:00) and Morgane Rivière (7:34:00) who rounded out the day’s top three. Tarryn’s strong push cements her position as overall female leader, with Morgane and Ioana close behind.

Stage Three of the Jungle Ultra has a well-earned reputation as one of the toughest days in one of the world’s hardest races, and today proved exactly why.

For those who did not finish (DNF) or did not start (DNS) Stage Three, it’s important to acknowledge that sometimes, the bravest and smartest decision is knowing when to step back. This is not a typical race, it’s an entirely self-sufficient journey through one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Runners are responsible not just for their pace, but for their hydration, nutrition, gear, and, most importantly, their health and safety.

Choosing to stop is never easy, especially after months of preparation and sacrifice. But out here in the jungle, knowing when to stop is vital, not only for oneself but for fellow competitors and the team supporting the event.

Many runners who stepped off course today will continue their Jungle Ultra experience, taking part in later stages if medically cleared. Even a partial journey through this race is an extraordinary achievement, and every runner that steps foor on the startline has experienced a true adventure into one of the world’s wildest environments.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the medics and safety team, who provided outstanding care and judgement across what has undoubtedly been the most punishing stage yet. Their support ensures that all runners, whether they finish or not, are able to leave the jungle safe and with stories to tell.

In a race with an average completion rate of just 30%, today’s challenges remind us why the Jungle Ultra has its fearsome reputation, and why every step forward in this race is so rewarding.

Tomorrow we take on the infamous ‘Lull’.