Jeff Campbell: My 100M Run at Amazean Jungle by UTMB (2nd Place)
Posted on May 19 2026
Racing at the Amazean Jungle by UTMB is always going to be a serious challenge—but for Jeff Campbell, the 100M Men distance turned out to be even more memorable than expected. Jeff secured 2nd place in the 2026 100M Men category, and in this interview he shares what it felt like, how he prepared on limited time, and what worked for him in the heat, the jungle, and the technical sections.
“I’m really happy with my performance.”
When asked how he was feeling after the race, Jeff said he felt very happy with his results. He knew the course would be long and tough, and that it would come with a strong field. Most importantly, his legs held up over the distance, and the experience stayed with him as something truly special.
Why choose the 100M distance?
Jeff explained that he chose 100M to gain more experience at +100km racing. He wanted the specific demands of that kind of ultra—so when the opportunity fit, it was the perfect way to learn what that distance really takes.
The course: hot sun, brutal jungle, and technical danger
Jeff described the race conditions in phases:
- The first few hours: fairly runnable under hot sun after the race started at 4pm.
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After the sun set: runners move into brutally thick jungle, with
- steep climbs
- technical descents
- hand-dug border tunnels
- Final 35k: more runnable again, but still demanding—especially with around 40°C heat and morning sun overhead.
To Jeff, it wasn’t just the terrain—it was how varied and unforgiving it was all the way through.
What was hardest compared to other races?
Jeff’s answer was clear: the jungle had “more bitey things” than any other race he’s run. For many runners, those details—small hazards and discomforts—can be what slowly wears you down across hours and hours.
Preparation: signed up only 4 weeks before race day
Perhaps the most surprising part of Jeff’s story is the timing. He revealed he only signed up 4 weeks before race day, so preparation wasn’t exactly ideal.
Instead, he built a focused plan:
- a one-month training block
- peaking at 170km / +6700m
- about two weeks before the race
That mileage, he said, helped his legs hold a steady pace later on. He also noted a challenge specific to his situation: Hong Kong’s lack of steep technical terrain, meaning he had to work with what he had rather than replicate the course perfectly.
Gear that worked: shoes, gloves, and light
Jeff shared a few key items that made a difference:
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Shoes: Mount to Coast T1s
- He found them excellent in slippery jungle terrain.
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Gloves: Leki gloves
- Helpful for better support during hand holds on technical descents.
- Poles: potentially useful, but Jeff preferred staying light.
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Lighting: Nitecore UT27
- He said it handled the long night well.
Using a Coros watch: Apex 4 for training and racing
Jeff trains and races with Coros, specifically the Coros Apex 4.
During the race, he used it to stay controlled early. His advice is simple: it’s easy to get carried away in the opening kilometres. Jeff monitored his heart rate closely and slowed down if he saw it drifting upward.
The most important function: navigation
When asked what he used most during the race, Jeff chose navigation.
For data tracking, his priorities changed over time:
- early on: heart rate
- most of the race: course navigation
- final sections: distance remaining to the next checkpoint and to the finish
He also said he didn’t use the Coros pacing strategy feature.
Heart rate and total burn
Jeff shared his race metrics:
- Calories burned: 1571
- Average heart rate: 134 bpm
How he avoided getting lost
Jeff emphasized that the course was well marked, and the GPX matched the route mostly—except for a few small detours. He trusted that:
- the course marking did the big work
- the Apex 4 turn-by-turn navigation kept him locked in
- he could focus on running rather than worrying about route decisions
Nutrition and hydration strategy
Jeff’s fueling plan was straightforward:
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Carbs: aim for 70–80g per hour
- mainly from gels
- topped up with sports drink
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Hydration: no strict targets
- based on thirst, he estimated about 1L per hour
Recovery after the race
For recovery, Jeff recommended something simple and practical:
- eat as much Thai food as his body could absorb in the first 24 hours
- he believes it helped him recover effectively
Final Thoughts
Jeff Campbell’s Amazean Jungle 100M story is a great example of what ultra runners often learn the hard way: you don’t just need fitness—you need navigation confidence, smart pacing, and a fuel plan that you can execute even in brutal conditions.
Congratulations again, Jeff, on an incredible 2nd place finish—and thanks for sharing your experience with the details that matter.
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