The Jungle Ultra: another 'marvellous' challenge

Mimi (“Marvellous Mimi”) Anderson flew out to Peru today (Sunday 20 May) for the inaugural Jungle Ultra, a 235km self-sufficiency staged race which consists of a tough mix of jungle trails, mountain roads and village tracks leading their way through the Cloud Forest and Amazon jungle.

We thought we'd share this quick note from Mimi just prior to her departure:

The organisers’ belief that this could be one of the toughest races in the world. There is no jungle like the jungle in Peru, with its virgin forests, diverse wildlife and numerous tribes still living there even to this day.

For the race itself we have to be totally self-sufficient, carrying our hammock, food and supplies for the entire race, replenishing only with water along the way at the check points and base camps.

The Jungle Ultra has been designed to test every part of our fitness, with running, walking, climbing, ducking and swimming to name but a few of the skills that will be called upon. We will face humidity levels reaching near 100%, making sweating useless in maintaining core body temperature, leaving us saturated for extended periods of the race and until we finally reach camp each day.

The longest stage is 90k and the shortest day is a mere 20k, although the title for this stage is "The Lull" - meaning although it’s short, it is extremely tough.

Despite all the amazing races I have entered over the years, this one will push me that little bit further. I have a fear of being out of my depth in water having watched my sister nearly drown in a fast flowing river in Norway where we lived as young girls, and that image has staged with me to this day. Like all challenges, it’s good to confront your fears and the only way I can complete this race is to cross the various rivers along the route!

To help keep me moving I am running to raise money for the 10 Million Metres Campaign, which was set up by Alex Flynn when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago. He has pledged to run, walk, swim, bike and if necessary crawl 10 Million Metres to raise £1 Million pounds for The Cure Parkinson's Trust. If you would like to make a donation and you can do so by going to http://www.justgiving.com/marvellousmimi1

Thank you once again for your amazing support and encouragement. If you would like to send me an email during the race you can do so on [email protected] or follow on twitter @ultimateUpdates.

Hopefully my marvellous husband will be posting updates on my Twitter account (that’s if he can work out how to do it!!!)

See you on the other side!

Mimi