After adventures in the Arctic and the desert, John Belton and Spencer Matthews are taking on a 240km marathon through the Amazon Rainforest.  

The Jungle Ultra is a self-sufficient ultra marathon through the Amazon Rainforest in which participants race across five days carrying all their belongings on their back. 

The distance can range from 230km to 250km – this year, the Ultra is expected to run across 240km of jungle and rivers.

Irish personal trainer John Belton and television personality Spencer Matthews are set to take on the Jungle Ultra this June.  

Mr Belton and Mr Matthews told Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna that the marathon is the kind of exercise that “challenges everything”.  

Mr Belton said they’ll be walking through temperatures of at least 30 degrees celsius in 100% humidity.  

“We’ll be dealing with sleep deprivation, snakes, spiders,” he said.  

Mr Matthews said previous participants have told him sleep deprivation is the biggest problem on the marathon. 

“Sleep is a real issue because it can be wet the entire time – it can rain for the full five days,” he said. 

“At least in the desert it’s nice and warm. It does get cold at night, but you get into your sleeping bag, and you’re exhausted from the day's activities,” Mr Matthews explained.

“But if someone is pouring water all over you, that might be a different story."

Mr Belton and Mr Matthews previously attempted a 250km marathon through the Arctic until Mr Matthews was diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Mr Matthews previously completed the Desert Ultra, considered one the world’s toughest foot races. 

Charity 

Mr Belton and Mr Matthew are completing the Jungle Ultra to raise money for the Michael Matthews Foundation – a charity set up by Mr Matthews in honour of his brother who died during his descent from Mt. Everest. 

According to Mr Matthews, the Michael Matthews Foundation has helped over 7,000 children – particularly young girls in rural Tanzania. 

The foundation builds dormitories near schools so young girls do not need to walk “ten miles” to get an education. 

The foundation is also the first to “digitalise” education in the region through providing students with tablets.  

“We have entrepreneurship programmes that teaches the girls how to start a business,” he said. “Then we will fund those businesses if they work.” 

Training 

Mr Belton said he is training to get used to climbing and walking long distances with a large rucksack.  

“The training has to work around life, so that means early morning starts or late night starts,” he said.  

Mr Belton said motivation is one of the most important issues: “Going when you don't want to go is half the challenge. The longer the race the more important the mindset.” 

Mr Matthews said the Jungle Ultra is the kind of race “you’re either poised for or you’re not”. 

He said the “pleasure” you get in completing the race is his main motivation. 

“On the flight home you feel like you could conquer most things,” he said. “It's a wonderful feeling being able to put yourself through something that is so difficult.” 

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