Runners prepare for Amazon ultra-marathon

Two runners are preparing to take part in a 230km (140-mile) ultra-marathon in the Amazon rainforest.

James March from Wolverhampton and Greg Garner from Newcastle-under-Lyme will set off next month to compete in Beyond the Ultimate Jungle Ultra in Peru over five days.

To prepare for the conditions, the pair have been using an environmental chamber at the University of Wolverhampton to acclimatise to the intense heat and humidity of the rainforest.

"The combination of heat, humidity and altitude provides a unique challenge, and it's clear why people consider it one of the toughest physical challenges on the planet," Mr March said.

Participants will have to navigate jungle and rainforest amid heat, humidity and mud within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Manu National Park.

Competitors could also be running at night while carrying their essential supplies.

Using the equipment at the university's Walsall campus has been an integral part of their training, 23-year-old Mr March, who is raising money for Walkoncemore, a charity that supports people living with MS, said.

The facility can replicate virtually any climate, the university said, and has been mimicking the necessary temperature, humidity, and altitude, enabling the men to optimise their training for the specific challenges.

"The environmental chamber goes up to 40 degrees and 90% humidity, which helps us prepare and understand how our bodies react to these temperatures," Mr March said.

"It's so important to get your body used to performing in these conditions, and we have access to expertise from Dr Cloak and his colleagues to help us with any questions or support we need.

"The chamber is perfect to be able to prepare for such races – it really puts it in perspective, not just how hot it's going to be but how we need to look after ourselves once we get out there."

Students studying sport and exercise science at the university have been involved in the training by measuring the pair's weight and heart rates while tracking performance and health and safety.

Ross Cloak, associate professor in sport and exercise science, said: "It's been a fantastic couple of weeks supporting James and Greg as they prepare for this epic challenge.

"They are raising money for a fantastic cause, and we, in the School of Sport, were more than happy to get involved."

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