“This is our toughest ultramarathon. Packed with mud and moist air, the thin air doubles the effort it takes to move and tests your physical and mental resilience. This is a race like no other”. This is how the organizer describes the race on their website. And Gabriella Mathisen knows what they mean. A few weeks ago, she was one of six participants who reached the finish line in the long edition of “Jungle Ultra”. – I am left with such a great experience that it is almost impossible to describe, both the nature and the wildlife, and an adventure that you will talk about for the rest of your life. It was very scary, and completely, completely magical, she says to news. Just one arm The experiences were many during 230 kilometers over five stages in the wild Amazon rainforest and 3,500 meters in altitude in Peru. – You have every element against you, states Mathisen. KRATT: Steep and slippery mountain sides were one of the biggest challenges in the jungle. Especially when you have to hold on with one arm. Photo: Beyond the Ultimate You may have read about her before. Mathisen was a drug addict and prostitute, and after a syringe was mistakenly inserted in her right arm, she had to amputate. – I don’t think that I have one arm. It’s not like when I encounter something it’s: “how do you do this”, but I had to take some precautions with climbing and such. But as I usually say, the arm I have is the crowbar. I am very strong, explains Mathisen. In 2016, he ran his first marathon. Subsequently, there have been two extreme races in the desert, before the dream of completing the jungle race was fulfilled. TIRED: After five days almost alone in the jungle, the Norwegian participants reached the finish line tired. Photo: Beyond the Ultimate – The goal meant so much to me, and I actually took a lot of chances in the race. I was very scared, and I cried, and pushed on, she admits. Snake bite The participants have to fend for themselves, and have everything they need in a rucksack. When it gets too dark to continue, they sleep in hammocks. The trail is marked with flags, and around every 10 kilometers there is a so-called “check point” and medical help is available. Mathisen describes the relationship with great enthusiasm. Steep mountain sides, thick scrub, river beds, poisonous plants and, not least, wild animal life. – If you take the time to look down, the ground moves with insects. And she got to experience some animals up close. RACE: In eight years, 300 participants have tried, but only 50 have completed the “Jungle Ultra”. Gabriella Mathisen is one of them. Photo: Beyond the Ultimate – I was bitten by a snake on the ankle. It was very scary, deep in a jungle. I looked at the clock, it was ten minutes past five, but it went well. I was not swollen in my face or hands. It was a bit amusing that there are 400 species of snakes in the jungle there, but only four of them have deadly venom. And they don’t always release venom when they bite either, says Mathisen with a smile. – I heard a cat’s roar, and by that I mean roar, behind me through the jungle, and then I went with the stick and hit bamboo reeds. The jaguar was there, watching us, for sure. You knew you were alive, so to speak, she says. Next extreme race in the Grand Canyon At the same time she knew the feeling of being fearless, and tough. Several times she thought about her hometown and the mountain in Folldalen where she trains, and she was motivated by Pro Senteret, the competence center for prostitution, for which she is an ambassador. WATER PLAN: Mathisen had made a detailed plan to drink enough water and take salt tablets. Photo: Beyond the Ultimate – All races I run are for them. There are strong, beautiful women who need to be lifted up, and not judged. They are a motivation for me when it really rains in extreme races, explains Mathisen. And this was her best running experience. At the finish line, she felt more joy than exhaustion. – The whole stadium was dumbfounded with admiration, I knew, that the lady with one arm could do it. I heard cheers long before the finish line. HOME AGAIN: After the exhaustion, Gabriella Mathisen takes it easy for several weeks before she starts her efforts towards new goals. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / news The long preparations for the next ultra race in April 2024 will soon begin: “Grand to Grand” – a 275 kilometer race through the challenging Grand Canyon in Arizona and Utah in the USA. – It is a legendary race. I love the desert. It is the most beautiful of the most beautiful.
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As the only woman, Gabriella Mathisen completed an ultra run in the jungle – with one arm – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
