Jungle Marathon
Dangers on the Trail
Fredrik Olmqvist / 19.09.2004
This year the organisers present a new race course in a new region. Rio Tapajos, not far from the jungle city of Santarem, on the map between Manaus and Belem along the Amazon River, looks like a tropical paradise with white beaches and green, clear water.
The day before the race start the 78 runners got some basic information for survival in the jungle. We are not only facing tricky trails, steep climbs and dense, hot jungle conditions, like 40 degrees in the shade, 100% humidity and a fierce sun. There are a few other concerns, like dangerous animals and plants.
Wild pigs are a menace. The only way to avoid being bitten or eaten, is climbing a tree and waiting until they have passed. Of the three different kinds of jaguars we should fear most the yellow with big dots, which is the most aggressive. They are hunting at night, so we should have to worry too much. But if faced with a jaguar you should never turn your back to them, just stare and hope it’s not hungry.
Venomous snakes in the trail can be another problem. If we see a leaf move on the ground we are instructed to stop. It can be the feared Brown Feather Lans Snake which can jump one third of its length. Rattlesnakes are most likely to appear on open ground in the sun. If attacked by a venomous snake there are two possible strategies. Lie down and wait for help, or kill it, so the doctors know which anti venom you will need.
In the creeks and swamps there can be Anacondas, who will give you a good hug before biting you. The best way to stop further inconvenience is to strangle the snake with your hands, which will make it short of breath, so it might consider loosening it’s firm grip and leaving you to finish the stage.
More likely to cause problems are the stingrays, who live in muddy waters in river beds.
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