jungleuk | Escape from the Jungle- information

ESCAPE FROM THE JUNGLE RACE INFO

All you need to know pre, during and post Escape from the Jungle

Race Overview

Welcome to Jungle Marathon, and our brand new adventure- Escape from the Jungle.

Jungle Marathon, the pioneer of Jungle races, has create an exhilarating new challenge ,offering the opportunity to combine skill, sport and eco tourism in a new survival race.

Imagine being dropped in a remote part of the jungle, and having to use your survival skills to get you to the finish line? Finding your food, procuring water, building shelter , navigating and running through dense jungle, across rivers, through caves, swamps and villages and encountering all the obstacles that nature can throw at you along the way?

Welcome to ESCAPE FROM THE JUNGLE.

After six days of intensive jungle survival training held by our special forces instructors, you will be dropped into the deep jungle in the dark, with a map, compass and compulsory kit and will have six days to reach the finish line using your skills, your speed and your navigation. You will cover a distance of over 200k.

Yes, physical fitness is a requirement- but if you don’t have strong mental tenacity to combine with it then you will struggle to reach the finish.

If you are ready for one of the most mind-blowing experience of your life, sign up today and join us in February 2020 in the jungles of Belize , Central America, for the inaugural edition of Escape from the Jungle.

Kit

Compulsory kit:

Hammock- look for a light weight version and make sure it has a mosquito net and rain cover too.

Backpack: 25l minimum

Machete: This should have a leather sheaf

Water bottles or camel bak: we suggest a capacity of a minimum of 3 litres per person.

Water proof bags: for the interior of your backpack. Alternatively you may bring a large waterproof back that your entire pack fits inside

Compass: This will be your only navigation tool. Please note that GPS are forbidden and any competitor using a GPS in any form will be disqualified.

Emergency Whistle:

Cooking/ Eating kit: mess tin and spoon

Torch and two sets of spare batteries

First aid kit: contents to be defined by the medical team

Water purification tablets: enough for 10 litres per day for 14 days

Essential survival and repair kit: details to be defined by the course instructors

Safety and emergency kit: To include 1 spot Gen 3 device per team with subscription activated and further emergency kit as defined by course instructors

Basic food kit: you will be responsible for procuring your own food but each competitor may start with 2kg of rice.

Food supplies for during the training course: details to be confirmed.

Training

Our special forces instructors will be training you in navigation and how to survive in the jungle and in team dynamics, however it is up to you to train your physical fitness and mental tenacity.

The entire race will cover around 200km (depending on which route you take) so you need to have the stamina to cover this sort of distance on foot over 7 days, carrying a pack.

Build up your distances slowly and get used to carrying an every increasingly heavy pack over this time. You will cover a distance of around 30km per day, which will include steep muddy elevation, river and swamp crossings, swimming through caves, some jungle trails and small hamlets, so your speed will vary. It is essential to get used to time on your feet walking, running and yomping.

Your feet will be wet much of the day, so train with wet feet and get used to doing your own foot-care as although there is medical support, this is reserved for emergencies.

The jungle is a very hostile environment and couple this with hunger, thirst and a heavy pack and you will have times when you struggle to continue. Push yourself to train on days that you don’t feel like it. Run in the dark, in the rain, in the cold in the hot. Test your limits and keep extending the boundaries. Face your fears.

You will be part of a team. (You can enter as an individual or a team, but if you are an individual you will be paired up at the survival training course with a team member or members). You need to learn to work with others in your team, to assign roles, to make joint decisions and to go at the speed of the slowest team member.

Itinerary 2020

10-23 February 2020

We will go to the jungle the early hours of the morning of February 10^th, so please arrive in Belize by midnight on the 9^th February. You should fly to Belize City and then book a commuter flight down to Placencia, where we will start our journey to the jungle.

10^th February 2020

Departure to the deep jungle where we will begin our jungle training.

10^th -15^th February 2020

Jungle survival training

15^th February 2020

Each competitor will spend the night of the 15^th February alone in the jungle, and our

instructors will visit and assess each competitor and evaluate your survival skills.

16^th February 2020

Race preparation day, kit verification preparation, final medical checks, distribution of race numbers, briefing and distribution of maps.

Staggered departure for jungle as darkness falls. Each team will be placed in a different location equidistance form the finish line.

17^th February 0h – 23rd February 2020

The race

23rd February 2020

The finish (location will be provided at race briefing), prize-giving, party, accommodation.

24^th February 2020

You are free to depart for home

Rules and regs

On registration all competitors agree to abide by the rules and regulations, terms and conditions as set out by Jungle Marathon Ltd. Terms and conditions may be subject to change at short notice.

In any dispute the Race Director’s decision will be final and binding on all parties.

Jungle Marathon Ltd reserves the right to alter or modify any aspect of the Escaper from the Jungle race itinerary at short notice in response to unforeseen circumstances in order to ensure the safety and security of all participants.

Age

All competitors must be at the age 18 years or over.

Entries

Open to men and women, individuals and teams.

All competitors will take part on the jungle survival training course and those who have not entered as a team will be placed in a team for the race.

Team Entries

All teams must have at least three members up to a maximum of six.

To qualify for a ranking at least three team members must complete the race or stage.

Race Distance

The race will cover a distance of around 200km, though the distance may vary depending on the route chosen. Teams may race at their own pace, but will be obliged to pass the compulsory waypoints with a certain time frame.

Waypoints

These will located throughout the jungle, generally a team will pass a waypoint once per day, depending on their speed. There will be cut-off times/days to reach the waypoints to ensure teams can cover the distance in the time allocated.

Medical assistance will be provided at waypoints (unless in a case of emergency).

Teams must leave the waypoints within one of hour of arrival, they are not permitted to stay overnight at waypoints.

Mandatory Equipment

Please see our kit list for full details of our compulsory kit

Race Number

Each competitor will be issued with a race number and two number plates. These must be worn at all times during the race.

It is the competitor’s responsibility to make sure they are clearly displayed at all times during the race.

Due to potential sponsor and media broadcast considerations the Race Director may impose restrictions on sponsor logos.

Food

All competitors are required to bring sufficient food for the training course. During the race, competitors will be procuring their own food, and start the race with 2kg of rice per person.

Water

It is the individual competitor’s responsibility to purify their water, manage their water intake and prevent dehydration. Water must be sourced from rivers and stream, though each competitor will start the race with 3litres of water each.

Outside Assistance

The only assistance permitted is via the race officials and medical personnel.

This is a self-sufficient race.

No use of any form of transport or outside provisions (food or drinks) is allowed.

Any infringements of this rule will be taken seriously and will result in the disqualification of the competitor or competitors involved.

Voluntary withdrawal from the Race

Competitors wishing to withdraw from the race may do so at any time by sending a message to the base camp or by informing their military safety expert.

As soon as is reasonably practical they will be transported to base camp where they will stay until the finish. Please note, only accommodation at the base will be free of charge. Any accommodation, and also additional expenses such as meals etc. will be the responsibility of the competitor. Transport to Placencia, or elsewhere is at the runners own expense.

Penalties

Time penalties if awarded will be added to individual times and rankings adjusted accordingly.

Appeals against any penalty must be made via the Race Director before the final ranking, i.e. immediately after the arrival at the finish at the latest.

Contravening any of the rules and regulations will result in time penalties. Some specific penalties are:

All missing items from the mandatory gear list will incur a 1 hour penalty per day. Having lost an item on the race course is not a valid excuse.

Receiving an IV drip will incur a 2 hour penalty (per dose).

Accepting outside assistance will result in heavy penalties or disqualification.

Any willful attempt to take detours from the course route, (there are no short cuts through this jungle) will be taken very seriously resulting in possible disqualification (not including being genuinely lost)

Disqualification

Disqualification will result in the competitor leaving the race with no ranking. Transportation to the finish line and accommodation will be at the runner’s expense.

Overall and Stage Placing

Teams will be ranked and times indicated in hours and minutes .

Your safety

The Jungle is hostile environment and you are undertaking this adventure at your own risk and must be vigilant at all times, however we put significant safety measures in place to ensure that we minimise this risk as much as possible.

Military support

Your jungle survival training is held by ex -special forces military instructors.

They will not allow anyone to start the race that they do not feel are capable of being able to survive in the jungle.

During the race itself, each team with be followed by one of them, to monitor your progress, your safety and to assist in case of emergency. They will not be part of your team, and are not there to assist, they will be unobtrusive. At base we will be in constant contact with them by radio and getting feedback on your progress.

Medical team

We will have a highly trained team of medics all expert in wilderness medicine and they will be available to check competitors at waypoints during the race.. If there is any emergency at any time during the race, they will attend immediately.

Waypoints

You will be required to pass a number of way points during your journey (depending on your speed this may be 1 per day) and at the waypoints you will be able to seek medical support if required. You will be allowed to stay for a maximum of one hour at waypoints, these should not be used as a place to spend the night or rest. There will be no water, food or other support at waypoints.

Spot tracker

Each team will need to carry a spot tracker so that their route can be tracked at all times during the race. This can also be used to receive and send messages and request emergency help.

The course

You will be navigating your own route, within an area that has been designed to maximise access water, and easy access for our logistics teams in case of emergency.

Registration

You may register online using this link :

Alternatively you may register direct with your representative in your region:

Australia and New Zealand: Fran Seton:

Brazil: Sara Vasconcelos De Souza:

Denmark and Scandinavia : Jacob Hastrup:

France: Shirley Thompson:

Germany: Anke Molkenthin

Ireland:

Italy: Paolo Zubani

Japan China and Taiwan: Hiro Takayama

Korea: Jesse Yoo

Russia and Eastern Europe: Dimitri Erokhin:

Spain and South America excl Brazil: Sara Vasconcelos de Souza :

USA:

UK:

FAQ

What is Escape from the Jungle?

Escape from the Jungle is a mind-blowing new concept of extreme footrace that takes place in the Jungles of Belize, where competitors have to use their survival skills and speed to escape from the jungle.

What is the distance?

The distance covered will be about 200km.

Do I need to be an experienced ultra -runner to take part?

No. The race is open to anyone over 18 with a sense of adventure. You need to have a reasonable level of fitness, but mental tenacity is as important as physical fitness.

What kind of people take part?

The race will appeal to anyone who would like to up their game in terms of adventure running. The survival race is an entirely new concept and is likely to appeal to anyone looking for an exhilarating adventure, combining speed, survival and navigation as they test their limits against nature.

Who organises the race?

The race is organised by Shirley Thompson, the pioneer of extreme races in the Jungle, who has been at the helm of Jungle Marathon for 14 years.

How much does it cost?

The entry fee is €5, 000. This can be paid in installments by either bank transfer, credit card or paypal.

How many competitors take part?

We have put a ceiling of 40 teams to minimize impact on the environment and to ensure that all competitors are closely monitored by our team.

How do I get to the race start?

You need to fly to the airport of Belize City , in Belize, Central America and then take an internal flight to Placencia .

Details of the rendezvous point will be provided prior to the race.

Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Belize?

Check with your local GP or travel clinic.

Do I need a visa?

Check with your local Belize Embassy. Please contact us if you require a letter to present with your visa

Is the jungle dangerous?

Yes. The jungle is a potentially dangerous environment, but we do everything we can to minimize risk. (please read the “your safety” section). That said, we do expect every participant to be vigilant at all times and to follow our advice on Jungle Safety.

Will I see wild animals or snakes?

You may well encounter snakes on the trail from time to time especially if it has been raining. Other animals tend to run away or camouflage themselves.

There are many jaguar and panthers in this region of the Jungle.. You may see monkeys scurrying between the trees, caiman and piranha on the river crossings and anaconda in the swamps. You will hear and see a host of beautiful birds and giant butterflies. You will hear and see much more wildlife at night.

What about insects? Will I get bitten?

There are thousands of species of insects, but you will generally not be bothered by them during the day. Use a good insect repellent at sunrise and sunset, the most popular time for mosquitos. There are ticks in the swamps and thousands of ants. Watch out for the bullet ant which can give you a nasty sting.

Never sit on the jungle floor unless you have something to sit on.

What is the terrain like?

The jungle terrain is very undulating, you will have lots of climbs and descents, which are not high but are steep. If it has been raining, these slopes tend to be very muddy and challenging to climb. You will often cross streams, so expect to have wet feet during most of the race. You will cross swamps and may also swim through caves.

I can’t swim. Is this a problem?

Your backpack will float, so you can use it for buoyancy. Any of the river and water elements of the route will not be too deep to wade.

What is the race format?

The race is a self-sufficient non-stop race. You carry all your kit with you in a backpack. This includes your hammock, clothing, compulsory items and anything else you need. You navigate using a compass and you are responsible for finding your own food and water during the race, though will start with a small supply of both. The race provides you with a full jungle survival training course prior to the race, and medical and logistical support throughout. You will build your own shelter to sleep in at night. The race will be competed in teams, though you may enter as an individual and will be put into a team at the training course.

What should I eat?

All this will be taught to you at the jungle survival training crouse.

Will my gear get wet with all the river crossings?

Yes, it can if you don’t put it in waterproof bags. As a double precaution, put items in waterproof bags and then tie your backpack inside a bin liner for the water crossings.

Does it get cold at night?

It can get relatively chilly in the early hours of the morning. Bring either a light -weight sleeping bag or even a sleeping bag liner to keep warm.

How much will my backpack weigh?

Backpacks generally weigh between 10kg and 15kg, depending how much stuff you bring with you.

How is the course marked?

The course is not marked. You are creating your own route, navigating using a map and a compass.

What distance is the race?

This can vary depending on the route you take. You will cover a distance of not less than 200km.

Is there any medical support?

We have outstanding medical support. Our excellent medical team are all wilderness medicine trained. You will be able to seek medical assistance at the compulsory waypoints, and medical support is available immediately for an emergency situation.

The race takes place in the Jungle, what about the impact on the environment?

We have 14 years experience in organising the worlds most iconic Jungle race, Jungle Marathon, in the Amazon Jungle in Brazil and have a zero tolerance on any runner who makes an impact on the environment. Any competitors that contravenes this will be disqualified and removed for the race immediately.

What is the entry fee?

The entry fee is €5,000 for an individual entry. The total entry fee for a team of three is €13,500, the total entry fee for team of four is €17,500, the total entry fee for a team of five €21,500 and the total entry fee for a team of six €24,500.

All individual entrants will be teamed up with others at the training course.

Will we meet people who live in the jungle?ing

Yes. You will pass through little villages and hamlets during the race and many of these villagers will be working as part of our logistical support.

Will it rain a lot during the race?

The race is held during the dry season so you will be unlikely to experience any rain.

How can I acclimatise for the environment?

Unless you live in a hot humid environment, you cannot, so we do suggest that competitors try to get to the region a couple of days before the race to give their bodies a change to start acclimatising. You will also have the 6 days of the training course during which you will be acclimatizing.

If I do arrive early, where should I stay?

There are plenty of hotels, guest houses and AirBnB in Placencia.

We will be setting up discounts for Escape from the Jungle competitors and will send further details of these to all entrants.

What currency do they use in Belize?

You can use both Belize dollars and US dollars in Belize

What is the best route to arrive in Belize?

Fly to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta or Miami and then get a connecting flight to Belize City.

Once you reach Belize then take an internal flight with either https://www.tropicair.com/ or

www.mayaislandair.com/ to Placencia.

If we haven’t covered any questions you have here, please email us on and we will get back to you asap.

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