Spencer Matthews finishes third in The Jungle Ultra five-day marathon through the Amazon Rainforest

Spencer Matthews has finished third in the Jungle Ultra marathon after a strenuous five-day trek through the Amazon rainforest.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, called it “the toughest physical challenge” he has ever faced.

The Jungle Ultra is a self-supporting 230 km marathon through the Amazon rainforest in Peru and remains one of the toughest races in the world.

The reality star said, “This race can be unforgivingly dark and lonely. This was without a doubt the toughest physical challenge I’ve ever faced, although I’m sure it won’t be the last.’

“I gave everything to the Jungle Ultra and to be rewarded with a podium finish is an honor.”

Victory: Spencer (right) took third, John Belton (left) took second and James Izzard (center) finished in first place

“230 km through the jungle terrain is no joke and at times it was incredibly hard on the mind, body and soul.”

The winner of this year’s race was James Izzard, who finished nine hours ahead of his closest competitors.

Amputee Gabriella Mathisen was the first woman to conquer the jungle, finishing 6th overall.

Spencer completed the challenge with his friend and personal trainer John Belton, who came in second.

He said, “Partnering with John Belton proved to be a very useful strategy at times.”

Only 50 people have passed the long grueling test of physical and mental endurance, despite 300 people trying over the past eight years. This year only six people made it to the finish line.

With a total ascent of more than 5,000 meters, a humidity of 100% and temperatures of more than 30 degrees, the Jungle Ultra pushes runners to their limits.

Contestants had to carry all the equipment they needed to get through each stage, including food, safety gear, medical supplies, hammocks, and a minimum of 2 liters of water.

Tough: With a total ascent of more than 5,000 meters, withstanding 100% humidity and temperatures of more than 30 degrees, the Jungle Ultra pushes runners to their limits

Ready for the challenge: Spencer completed The Jungle Ultra, a self-sustaining 230km marathon through Peru’s Amazon rainforest, and remains one of the toughest races in the world

Stamina testing: Participants had to carry all the equipment they needed to get through each stage, including food, safety gear, medical supplies, hammocks, and water

Spencer said his main reason for running the race was to raise money for the Michael Matthews Foundation in honor of his late brother.

The foundation supports thousands of children from remote areas to access education, offering them the benefits of a better start in life across Tanzania.

Spencer said: “We have three core values: building hostels so that young girls no longer have to walk long distances to school, exposing them to exploitation.”

‘Digital learning – equipping a new generation of students with the digital skills they need for the 21st century.’

‘A highly successful Youth Entrepreneurship Program (known locally as Imarika Kijana ‘Strong Youth’) provides training in management and financing for start-ups and good ideas.’

“So far we have helped more than 7,000 children.”

This isn’t the first adventure the TV personality has faced as he recently undertook a quest to find his dead brother’s body by retracing his steps on Mount Everest.

Spencer’s older brother Michael Matthews became the youngest Briton to summit Everest at the age of 22, but disappeared on the mountain just three hours later.

Michael allegedly ran into trouble after descending south through the ‘death zone’ on May 13, 1999.

Spencer made a Disney+ feature film describing the emotional story of his attempt to find his brother’s body with the help of survivalist Bear Grylls and record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja by his side.

Spencer trekked to South Base Camp via Namche Bazaar, a town in northeastern Nepal, often the staging point for expeditions to and other Himalayan peaks.

He made the trip just five days after the birth of his son Otto after a weather window allowed climbing the mountain.

Spencer would otherwise have to wait another year to begin the search, revealing he had the support of his wife Vogue Williams, 37.

The couple are proud parents of three children, son Theodore, four, daughter Gigi, two, and son Otto, 13 months.

Inspirational: Amputee Gabriella Mathisen was the first woman to conquer the jungle, finishing 6th overall

Excited: Spencer said his main reason for running the race was to raise money for the Michael Matthews Foundation, in memory of his late brother