Spencer Matthews has announced a world record attempt as he plans to run the ‘most consecutive marathons on sand’.
The Made In Chelsea star has been teasing his endurance challenge for weeks, reassuring fans that he was in training after his Instagram followers expressed concern over his recent weight loss.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday with his wife Vogue Williams to reveal the marathon attempt, Spencer explained how he plans to run thirty marathons in thirty days in the Joranian desert.
‘I’ve done a few of these ultras before. It’s a love, hate thing but I was looking to do more,’ he explained.
Spencer Matthews has announced a world record attempt as he plans to run the ‘most consecutive marathons on sand
The Made In Chelsea star has been teasing his endurance challenge for weeks, reassuring fans that he was in training after his followers expressed concern over his recent weight loss
‘I’ve always been really curious about how far the mind and body can go and I really wanted to design and create a challenge that would be a ‘world first’ so this would be a world record if achieved.’
He explained: ‘It’s going to be in the mid forties [degrees celsius]… It has to be 100% on sand. If my feet leave sand at any point, that marathon for that day is then void and for it to be a world record, the thirty have to be consecutive.’
‘I’m working with incredible people and a local team in Jordan and who will design the route ahead of being there. But yeah, the entire 1,266km has to be on sand which, of course, makes it that bit harder.’
Revealing how he is mentally preparing for the challenge, he admitted how being miles away from his wife Vogue Williams and their three young children will be tough: ‘It’s the time away from family as well – my wife is just over there [in the studio]. I honestly feel like I learn an awful lot about myself when I do these sorts of things.
‘I’m interested in understanding how far I can push myself. It’s not too long ago that doing any running of any kind would have been difficult. I’ve struggled with problems with alcohol in my life and I am keen to push myself and test myself but also draw attention to the fact that anyone can do interesting things if they set their mind to it.’
To qualify for the Guinness World Record, Spencer will need to run the full distance – 1,266km – on sand. He will not be able to cross roads, grass, rivers or other terrain during the 30 marathons, making the challenge a logistical, as well as physical and mental feat.
A dedicated adjudicator will be present during every marathon and will monitor Spencer’s progress in order for it to register as a successful Guinness World Record.
The money raised during the challenge will help Global’s Make Some Noise to change lives across the UK, by supporting small charities to deliver vital services within their communities.
Appearing on ITV ‘s Lorraine on Tuesday with his wife Vogue Williams to reveal the marathon attempt, Spencer explained how he plans to run thirty marathons in thirty days
‘I’ve done a few of these ultras before. It’s a love, hate thing but I was looking to do more,’ he explained
Revealing how he is mentally preparing for the challenge, he admitted how being miles away from his wife Vogue Williams and their three young children will be tough
In order to safely prepare for the challenge, which will take place from 29th July to 27th August, Spencer is undertaking a gruelling training regime, running more than 1,800km in preparation and acclimatising his body using sweat testing, and training for up to 15 consecutive days in a lab-controlled heat chamber set to 40C and 40% humidity, in an effort to mimic the conditions of the Jordanian desert.
The Clean Co founder has been training hard for weeks, with his weight loss prompting him to recently hit back at critics who claimed he was looking ‘too thin’.
Taking to Instagram, the TV star told his followers he is in the best shape of his life and to stop commenting on other people’s appearance.
He wrote: ‘Every single day on this platform, women write to me expressing concern for my appearance. They say that I’m too think and that I look sick… One asked why I’m “punishing my body” and most say “hope you’re ok??”
‘This is a quick note to say that your concern is misplaced and the delivery of that concern is unhealthy. I am fit, well, and above all, really happy.
The Clean Co founder has been training hard for weeks, with his weight loss prompting him to recently hit back at critics who claimed he was looking ‘too thin’
‘In fact, I’m the healthiest I have ever been – enjoying a disciplined routine and am driven with clear goals, training for a World Record endurance run which will hopefully raise a substantial amount of money for people who need it.
‘Training for this challenge is NOT punishment, its PROGRESS….’
Spencer said he never received any messages of concern about his looks when he was ‘overweight’ and a ‘problem drinker’ while on Made In Chelsea.
He added: ‘Please don’t mistake me pushing myself physically as being unhealthy… It’s not. It’s exciting and in my case, makes me feel alive and full of purpose.
Taking to Instagram, the TV star told his followers he is in the best shape of his life and to stop commenting on other people’s appearance
‘Not once did I ever receive a single message of “concern” when I was a huge problem drinker – overweight and drastically unhealthy. I wouldn’t have wanted it then and I certainly don’t want it now.
‘It’s really simple – don’t comment on anyone’s appearance. If someone looks different there is probably a reason for that.
‘Mine is that I found a healthy lifestyle’.
Listen to the Mail’s Everything I Know About Me: Spencer Matthews podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
