”For more than 20 years I have been organising ultra races in the Arctic. I started with the Yukon Arctic Ultra and in 2022 added the Lapland Arctic Ultra. It was about time, I organised a race in a warmer climate!

Participants of the Rainforest Ultra can choose between a 100 and 200 km distance. The 100 km race takes place in the Reserva Extrativista Tapajós-Arapiuns (RESEX) in the Brazilian State of Pará. It is divided up in 3 stages that will have athletes run along white sandy beaches and through the jungles of the area. Those who want to run and hike a total of 200 km will then travel with us by boat to the Floresta Nacional do Tapajós. There we will add another 100 km in 3 stages.

Of course, one of my motivations is to simply organize another exciting ultra in a landscape that I find fascinating. However, that’s not the main reason. My main intention is to help the development of eco-friendly tourism in this area of the Amazon basin. If the people living in these protected forests can generate above average income by welcoming visitors from all over the world, it is a great incentive to preserve the nature around them. All people I talked to – politicians, government officials, institutions and community leaders - are well aware of climate change and the crucial role a healthy rainforest plays for all of us. They want to share the beauty of their land with us and make a positive impact. The Rainforest Ultra can and will help them on their way.

See you in the jungle in 2025!

Robert PollhammerRace Director