A former pupil at The King’s School has tackled the world’s ‘original’ marathon course to raise money for cancer research.

Steve Gurr was among 18,000 runners to complete a course from the Greek city of Marathon to the Olympic stadium in Athens last Sunday. The 26-mile route is believed to be the same as that run by Greek soldier Phidippides in 490AD to bring news of the victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon.

University of Portsmouth student Steve, 20, of Talaton, is hoping to raise £1,200 for Worldwide Cancer Research in memory of his grandmother and uncle.

He did not let sunburn and a foot injury stop him completing the course in six hours and 25 minutes.

Steve’s mum Sarah, who works in Ottery post office, said: “He realised around half-way that his foot or his ankle was in pain.

“He didn’t get it checked by the paramedics in case he was pulled off the course.

“He sent me a picture of his foot, which is twice the size and really swollen.”

Donate by visiting https://athens2016.everydayhero.com/uk/steve