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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

With jaguars, piranhas and snakes to contend with, only hardcore maniacs should apply for the Jungle Marathon.

Never mind those smug, electrolyte-sucking bastards who jog around the park in their lunch break – the real maniacs do their thing in the middle of the Amazon, in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest, where the annual Jungle Marathon takes place.

For the past five years, around 50 men and women have gathered at a remote location in the state of Para, Brazil, to test themselves against the South American elements – and each other. Not all will finish the six-stage, 200km marathon, but each paid $3450 for the privilege.

British Royal Navy submariner John Bennett was one of the mad bastards to take part in 2007. “I was looking for a new challenge and saw this race advertised in a magazine,” he says. “It’s the ultimate experience.” Obviously the bloke’s never had a champagne-filled spa with Gemma Atkinson and Jessica Alba...

The Jungle Marathon website has put out the call for volunteers to help out with this year’s race in October, stating, “You may be abseiling from our helicopter into an inaccessible checkpoint in primary jungle, or monitoring the safety and well-being of the runners. Perhaps you could be part of the advance checkpoint crew who trek into the depths of the rainforest to camp overnight and set up an early checkpoint. Maybe you will utilise your medical skills under the tropical rain.” For your efforts, they’ll give you a free T-shirt.

Have these blokes lost the plot? Leave your comment below.