Spencer Matthews Smashes Desert Marathon Record for Charity

Reality TV star and endurance athlete Spencer Matthews has achieved a remarkable feat, breaking the world record for the most consecutive marathons run on sand.

The 36-year-old completed his 30th marathon in the Jordanian desert on Tuesday, finishing in an impressive 4 hours and 17 minutes. He was greeted at the finish line by his wife, Vogue Williams, and their three children: Theodore, Gigi, and Otto, who had travelled to the remote location to support their father.

Matthews documented his incredible achievement on Instagram, writing: "I DID IT!!! I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT!! 30 DESERT MARATHONS IN 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS… ALL ON SAND. ✅"

He shared that he is now a Guinness World Records holder for endurance, the first and only person to successfully complete this gruelling challenge in such extreme conditions. Over the course of 30 days, he ran a total of 1,274.02km (791 miles) across some of the world's toughest terrain, with no opportunity to rest or recover properly.

Matthews undertook this monumental challenge to raise awareness and funds for Global's Make Some Noise, a charity that supports small charities across the UK, providing essential assistance to those facing difficult life circumstances. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received, sharing that over £342,508 has been raised so far. He emphasized that 100% of donations go directly to the charity, with none allocated to himself, his team, or the logistics of the challenge.

"I did this to raise awareness and funds for the incredible work that @globals_make_some_noise do to support small charities across the UK," Matthews stated in his Instagram post.

Vogue Williams also shared her excitement on social media, posting snaps of their trip to the Jordanian desert and expressing her immense pride in her husband's accomplishment. "We are all so proud of him – and T keeps telling everyone he meets that his Daddy is doing 30 marathons in 30 days," she shared.

The couple's children were clearly thrilled to be part of this momentous occasion, with photos showing them cheering on their father and showering him with affectionate kisses after his final run.

The journey was not without its challenges, as Matthews faced daily temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F). He would run early mornings to mitigate the heat, but the average daily high temperature throughout the challenge was 38°C (100°F), with the highest recorded reaching 44°C (111°F).

Despite these extreme conditions, Matthews remained determined, finishing Marathon 28 in a respectable 17km (10 miles) despite the intense heat. He then achieved one of his quickest times yet, completing Marathon 29 in a remarkable 4 hours and 28 minutes.

Looking ahead, Matthews shared his ambition to make running accessible for children across the UK. “It’s premature to talk about it, but I would love running to be accessible to all children in the UK,” he shared with the Mail. “I haven't sat down and tried to figure that out yet, but it’s probably something that I will look into when I get back.”

Matthews' incredible achievement serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of dedication, perseverance, and compassion. His determination to push his physical limits while simultaneously raising vital funds for a worthy cause truly sets him apart as an exceptional individual.