British Reality Star to Attempt Record-Breaking 30 Desert Marathons in 30 Days

Spencer Matthews attends the World premiere of "Argylle" in London, England, on Jan. 24, 2024. (Kate Green/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

Former British reality star Spencer Mathews announced he will attempt to set a Guinness world record by running 30 marathons in 30 days through the Jordanian desert in the name of charity.

“This will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I’ll give it my absolute all to see it through. Help me make a difference for the incredible causes that @globals_make_some_noise and I are supporting and together we can help improve the lives of thousands of children across the UK,” he said on his Instagram account.

At 35, Mr. Matthews, who has appeared on the UK version of The Bachelor and Celebrity Master Chef, has reinvented himself as an endurance athlete, podcaster, and entrepreneur.  He has conquered three ultramarathons in the Amazon Rainforest and the Arctic, and he has tackled the Marathon des Sables, often referred to as the “toughest footrace on Earth,” which spans seven days and covers 250 kilometers in the Sahara Desert.

Looking ahead, Matthews is preparing to run the equivalent of five consecutive Marathon des Sables.

“I think I will come out of this quite different”, he told Sky News, discussing his plan to run 786 miles entirely on sand, with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. His journey will begin near the Wadi Rum on the edge of the Arabian Desert and conclude near the Dead Sea, adhering to strict world record criteria that mandate staying solely on sand and completing each marathon within six hours.

“Running in hot conditions requires months of dedicated training and proper hydration,” national news anchor and half marathon runner Sani Unutoa told The Epoch Times, detailing the rigorous preparation needed for marathons.

Noting the possible pressure Mr. Mathews will take on, Mr. Unutoa said, “Everyone’s preparation is different. I start training about two months before a big run.”

“My training regimen includes two short runs during the week and a long run on the weekend,” Mr. Unutoa explained. “This involves hill runs, night runs, sprints, as well as stretching, leg workouts, and more. There’s also meal prep and making sure I’m staying hydrated.” Mr. Unutoa is preparing to run the “Golden Bridge Half-Marathon.”

Reflecting on his personal history, Matthews acknowledges the deep connection between his current pursuits and his struggles with alcohol abuse in his 20s. He vividly recalls his past, feeling like an outsider in his own family, and the lack of trust he faced. However, his transformation has significantly improved his relationship with them and his attitude toward alcohol.

Echoing Mr. Mathews’s sentiment, Mr. Unutoa said: “People run for different reasons. I run for sanity and I’ve adopted the nickname ‘SANITY.’”

Mr. Matthews has spoken candidly about how his drinking could have cost him everything, including his life. On his wife Vogue Williams’ podcast “Taboo Talk,” he shared how his decision to quit drinking was a matter of survival. Now a father of three, Matthews has undergone a significant personal and physical transformation, reflecting on how his family dynamics have changed for the better.

To support his latest endeavor, Mr.  Matthews aims to raise over $1 million for Global’s Make Some Noise charity, which aids grassroots projects and small charities. He will be closely monitored by a medical team throughout the attempt, focusing on his heart rate and internal body temperature. His rigorous preparation includes weight training, long runs, and using a heat chamber to simulate the harsh conditions he'll face.

Mr. Matthews has already logged over 2,000 kilometers in preparation for this challenge, burning more than 7,000 calories on the longer training days.

Mr. Matthews draws inspiration from notable ultrarunners like Dan Lawson, who ran the Brighton Marathon eight times back-to-back in 2012, Pete Kostelnick, who crossed the US on foot, and Camille Herron, who recently ran 900 kilometers in six days.