An intrepid shepherd from Perthshire has completed an epic charity ultra marathon in the Amazon jungle.
Shauney Watson (26), who is based in the Caputh and Dunkeld area, was up every day at 4am for weeks delivering lambs before she set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Last week Shauney took part in the 230km Jungle Ultra, sprinting through ravines and scrabbling through cloud forest in the Manu National Park near Cusco in Peru.
The race saw 36 athletes battle it out, running five marathons in five days through the jungle, getting some minimal rest in a hammock in between.
There were wire river crossings, high humidity, bugs and lots of mud as they descended to the Amazon River basin.
The race was cancelled twice before because of COVID and Shauney was keen to get her boots on the ground in South America.
Not for the faint-hearted, she had to be self-sufficient with the exception of receiving clean water at the nightly stops.
Clothing, food, a day’s water, sleeping bag and hammock had to be carried by each participant.
Besides a 200m stretch of hard-packed trail leading to the first river crossing just outside Huacaria, the entire route is run on twisting, undulating, jungle trail.
Brave and determined Shauney finished last Friday, pleased just to have made it through the challenge.
She did her Jungle Ultra to raise money for Rock2Recovery, an organisation which links up ex-servicemen and women and their families in their hour of need to appropriate mental health services.
Shauney, who is a UKCC level 2 riding coach and is also studying a degree in sport, fitness and coaching, has walked and run in exceptional conditions abroad before.
In 2019 she was one of the competitors in a marathon through Vietnam.
Before that she ran a marathon at Mount Everest. The experience led to her writing a book - How Not to Run, A Journey to the Roof of the World - describing the highs and lows of her personal journey in Nepal.
“During the training for and the actual Everest Marathon itself, Shauney kept journals as well as her Run Watson Run blog,” her mum explained.
“When she returned, she began writing a book and managed to secure a publishing deal.”
So having been pushed back twice, earlier this year Shauney began to drum up interest in the Jungle Ultra when it was announced the challenge would go ahead.
“In 2017 I completed the highest marathon in the world at Everest Base Camp for a Scottish based military charity and it’s my hope to continue raising money and awareness for veterans’ causes by racing in some of the most challenging places in the world,” she wrote on her Watson’s project X page ahead of her flight to Peru.
“In my journey to racing in the jungle, I visited the humid mountains of Vietnam in 2019 to experience racing in high humidity and temperature.
“The journey has also taken me to the science lab to experience altitude acclimatisation the scientific way.”
One of her last communications before the race began was full of anticipation: “Tomorrow, Sunday, June 5 at 5am we will be transferred out to the Amazon jungle to begin this incredible race. The fact I’m even getting to be on the start line feels like a miracle.”
Updates from mum Fiona Watson followed telling of the gruelling conditions at each stage and “over a hundred different types of snake”.
When Shauney was unable to reach her mum as communication grew patchy, Fiona said: “It’s been a bit of a nail-biting experience back here.
“I’m having difficulties focusing on anything fully as my mind is always with her, trying to keep her safe and well.
“I have a sort of low level nausea going on too. I find it really difficult not being able to communicate with her as normally I’m there giving her encouragement, advice and any other help she needs. I know her dad feels the same way.
“We are so very proud of our daughter and all of her achievements and, as always, she’s doing this for charity.”
On June 10 it was all over. Nine people had to pull out, but Shauney crossed the finish line after running continuously for 14 hours.
“My wee girl has done it!” wrote Fiona. The race behind her, Shauney was getting back home to Scotland on Wednesday.
Donations are still being gratefully received and can be made directly to the charity at https://teamfortitude.uk/products/shauney-watson
