Home » Home » Toughest Race in the World Will Take Brevard Native David ‘Florida Man’ Kilgore Through the Amazon Rainforest

Toughest Race in the World Will Take Brevard Native David ‘Florida Man’ Kilgore Through the Amazon Rainforest

By  //  May 30, 2026

no stranger to pushing his body to the limits, ultra-marathon will take Kilgore through Amazon Rainforest

Palm Bay native David Kilgore, known as the Florida Man, will participate in the 2026 Jungle Ultra. This race has been called by many as “the toughest race in the world!” The race begins May 31 at 7 a.m.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay native David Kilgore, known as the “Florida Man,” is always pushing his body to the limit.

A Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame member and one of the top runners to come out of Brevard County, Kilgore will participate in the 2026 Jungle Ultra.

This race has been called by many as “the toughest race in the world!”

The 2026 Jungle Ultra will be held in Manu National Park, Peru, and this 230-kilometer, five-day, self-sufficient, ultra-marathon will take Kilgore through the Amazon Rainforest.

He will encounter remote jungle trails, rivers, near-vertical ascents, and much more.

Kilgore is no stranger to pushing his body to the limits. He once ran seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents. In February 2023, he not only competed in the World Marathon Challenge, which consisted of seven marathons, but he also won all seven.

Palm Bay native David Kilgore (pictured), known as the Florida Man, will participate in the 2026 Jungle Ultra. This race has been called by many as “the toughest race in the world!” The race begins May 31, 2026, at 7 a.m. (Image: David Kilgore)

Kilgore told me, “I am so pumped up to return to the Jungle Ultra. This challenge has been a goal of mine for a while. I ended up breaking my ankle in this event last year.

I am even more excited to spend the week in the Jungle racing, sleeping under the stars, crossing rivers, seeing wildlife, pushing limits, and sharing moments with other adventurers. My 20L pack is all loaded up, and we are ready to roll!”

I don’t know if there is anything the Florida Man can’t do.

During COVID, he returned to Brevard County and ran 100 miles in one day as a fundraiser for those in need.

I know for a fact he did it, because I followed him in my vehicle through the day, meeting him at various points. He also won the Space Coast Marathon five times in a row, 2015 – 2019.

The Space Coast is behind you, David. Good luck in the jungle!

Where to Follow David Kilgore in the 2026 Jungle Ultra. He will be wearing #14:

• Instagram & Facebook – Daily updates from the jungle: Bigbangpromotions.cmail20.com/…/i-l-zkthjkd…/

• BTU YouTube Channel – Post-race highlights and post-race interviews: Bigbangpromotions.cmail20.com/…/i-l-zkthjkd…/

• BTU Website – Full race reports and daily results: Bigbangpromotions.cmail20.com/…/i-l-zkthjkd…/

Live Tracking

Follow runners every step through the Jungle in real time. Click here for the link.

https://bigbangpromotions.cmail20.com/…/i-l-zkthjkd…/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.