Pippa Middleton 'ticks a life box' as she completes her first full marathon in 30-degree heat across the Kenya plains

• Pippa ran the Tusk trust’s Safaricom Marathon in Kenya on June 27
• She completed the gruelling course in three hours 56 minutes
• 'I was exhausted. My eyes welled up with tears,' the 31-year-old recalled

By Sadie Whitelocks for MailOnline

Published: 18:02 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 02:22 EST, 13 July 2015

Pippa Middleton says she's 'ticked a life box' after completing her first full marathon.

The 31-year-old brunette ran the Tusk trust’s Safaricom Marathon in Kenya, Africa, late last month and finished in an impressive three hours 56 minutes - placing her 30th out of 200 runners.

Writing about her achievement in this week's HELLO! magazine, Pippa said: 'I decided that a marathon was a "life box" that needed ticking and this year was my time - despite it being one of the toughest in the world, with temperatures rising to more than 30C, at an altitude of 5,550ft and with the possibility of bumping into lions or rhinos.'

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Breaking sweat: Pippa Middleton says that she feels she's 'ticked a life box' after completing her first full marathon - she took part in the Tusk trust’s Safaricom Marathon late last month (seen above)

She said she was hit by 'a wave of emotion' as she set off with dozens of other competitors at 7am in the morning.

Then at the half-way point, after navigating dirt roads, savannah plains, riverbanks and woodland, Pippa said she almost stopped because she was so tired.

'I was exhausted. My eyes welled up with tears,' the British socialite recalled.

'Could I really manage this? I turned right and thought of the schoolchildren, the rhinos, elephants and lions, the incredible Tusk projects - the reason I was doing this. 

Reaching her limits: After navigating dirt roads, savannah plains, riverbanks and woodland, Pippa said she almost stopped because she was so tired (competitors in the Safaricom Marathon seen above)

Fitness fanatic: Pippa is an avid runner and has competed in various races over the years

On your bike: The brunette also loves cycling, last month she competed in the London To Brighton Bike Ride For British Heart Foundation (seen above)

Fitness fanatic Pippa Middleton takes part in bike race (related)

'It was tough - tougher than anything I’d been faced with before and required every inch of my energy, stamina and stubbornness.'

The 16th Safaricom Marathon, which took place on June 27 at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, was co-hosted by the conservation organisation, Tusk. 

All of the competitors are required to raise a minimum of £1,000 and since its inception, the Safaricom has raised more than $4.9 million.

It's not clear why Pippa decided to enter the Safaricom, given the gruelling conditions.

However, her brother-in-law, the Duke of Cambridge - who has been the Royal Patron of the Tusk trust since 2005 - might have encouraged Pippa to take part.

A week before before tackling the Safaricom Marathon, Pippa traded her trainers for a two wheels as she teamed up with brother James for a 54-mile bike ride from London to Brighton.

The siblings took part in the event to benefit the British Heart Foundation - of which Pippa is an ambassador.  

Non-stop: It's not known if the 31-year-old  has any other athletic antics lined up for the year ahead

Staring young: Pippa won a sports scholarship to the prestigious private school, Marlborough College 

Pippa Middleton, 31 (middle), attended the Wimbledon Men's singles final with a group of friends in a cream Tory Burch dress on Sunday

 Pippa appeared to be enjoying herself, clapping and cheering, despite the tension on Centre Court

Pippa said of the race: 'This event is testament to the fact that cycling is such an inclusive sport that everyone can enjoy.

'Through the money raised, the BHF can continue to help the millions of people affected by coronary heart disease – the UK’s single biggest killer.' 

Last year, the dynamic duo took part in the demanding Race Across America in aid of charity - a 3,000 mile bike ride across 12 American states.

And in 2012, the twosome also raced in a 56-mile cross-country ski marathon across Swedish mountains to alleviate hunger for British children.   

Out now: Pippa opens up about her marathon run in this week's HELLO! magazine

A keen athlete, Pippa, who won a sports scholarship to Marlborough College, has previously spoken about how she likes to stay strong and healthy with plenty of exercise and protein-rich diet.

Ahead of her swim in Istanbul last summer, the amateur athlete said, 'To maintain energy I try to eat more protein, particularly fish or chicken.

'A lot of people swear by carb-loading in the run-up to an event but it doesn't really work for me, so I just up my protein intake.'

Pippa has also revealed that she prefers to stick to ‘wholesome carbs’ such as brown rice, lentils and quinoa, to balance her increased protein intake.

On the morning of big events, she tucks into a bowl of porridge with honey, banana and nuts to provide her body with plenty of fuel.

A big fan of the healthy lifestyle, Pippa has also revealed that playing tennis and taking Pilates classes helps her to keep in shape.

After returning from the Safaricom in June, Pippa put sports to one side as she played the role of aunt at her niece Princess Charlotte's christening at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham.

However she was more than happy to spectate at Wimbledon last week. She was spotted in the crowd on three separate occasions, twice with her younger brother James, 28, and then at the Men's final on Sunday with a group of friends.

It's not known what other athletic antics the sportswoman has lined up for the year ahead. 

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