Jungle marathon man
A Dundalk man is testing his endurance to the limits in the Amazon jungle, as part of gruelling ‘ultra marathon’ to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital
Brian Bell, owner of Pugwash Bay creche, has headed off on his latest adventure to try and raise much needed funds.
No stranger to the tough physical challenges, over the last few years Brian has completed the Marathon Des Sables, Yukon Arctic Ultra, UTMB and the Rovaniemi 300 to name just a few.
Brian and his wife Sharon started Pugwash Bay Ltd, at Lis Na Dara, Carrick Road, 13 years ago because of their passion for children and each year Brian tries to find a unique way to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
As he prepared to set off last week, Brian explained the tough journey ahead.
‘ This Jungle Ultra tests your endurance as you run 230km through the tough jungle trails, mountain roads and village tracks, making your way from Cloud Forest and down 10,500ft to the Amazon Jungle below.’
Brian will experience the virgin forests, diverse wildlife and numerous tribes of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest to complete this five stage event.
Being in the jungle, Brian explained that he will face humidity levels reaching near 100%.
‘ This level of humidity actually makes sweating useless in maintaining the core body temperature, and it leaves you saturated for extended periods of the race, and indeed when you finally reach camp.’
For the race itself survival tactics are key and the Dundalk man will be self-sufficient carrying his own hammock, sleeping bag, food and supplies for the entire race, no mean feat considering the distance and terrain involved!
He explained that keeping hydrated is essential to remaining healthy during the marathon, and it will be essential that he drinks a minimum of more than two litres of water along the way at check points and base camps.
To follow Brian on his adventure and support his efforts log on to www.facebook.com/pugwashbay.
The ultra marathon tests your endurance as you run 230km through tough jungle trails