PE teacher targets diabetes world marathon record

Nathan Kilcourse said his 13-week training plan - which included a half-marathon - had gone well

A teacher is aiming to break a sporting world record while also inspiring young people to face life's challenges.

Nathan Kilcourse, a PE teacher at Endeavour Academy's upper school in Daybrook, Nottinghamshire, was 19 years old when he was told he had type 1 diabetes.

On Sunday, he plans to run the fastest marathon by a man with the condition and break the current Guinness World Record of 2:30:09 when he competes in the Yorkshire Marathon in York.

Mr Kilcourse, 35, said he wanted to show having diabetes did not mean limiting life choices.

Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. It is characterised by uncontrolled high blood glucose levels and it can be controlled by injecting insulin.

'Goals and dreams'

The current world record was set by Daniel Clarke at the TCS London Marathon on 27 April.

Mr Kilcourse said the target of beating the record had meant 13 weeks of training, including doing the Robin Hood Half Marathon.

But getting to this point had meant overcoming some difficult times.

He said: "When I was diagnosed, there was a lot of fear and anxiety and frustration. I was unsure of how life would look.

"But running has shown me how resilient I can be."

Mr Kilcourse is raising money for Diabetes UK and has a target of £1,000.

"If you have goals and dreams, regardless of what your diagnosis is, regardless of what life throws at us, we can still achieve those things," he said.

"We will be tested, we will face setbacks, we will face challenges, but there are also opportunities to thrive and excel."

One of his pupils, Connor, said: "I like his teaching because I like PE and he tells us never to give up, even if we are losing the game, you keep trying.

"I think he is going to do it and I'm wishing him all the best."