A DEDICATED runner has gone the extra mile and donated his London Marathon medal to a Warrington school after staff and students helped him cross the finish line.

Darren Willcock is an attendance officer at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School and ran 26.2 miles of the London Marathon around Warrington in October last year.

He completed the race with dozens of colleagues and pupils from the school joining him for the final six miles around the sports field.

Darren has gifted his medal to the Latchford school where it has been framed along with his running number as well as the names and photos of all of the runners who supported him.

When he finished the course, Darren said “I haven’t done this: we’ve done this.

“That’s what we do best at Boteler – we do things together.”

As he was donating the medal, he said: “When I reflect on that day it fills me with great pride how our school community came together to support one another.

“Our commitment, dedication and resilience helped us all to the finish line.

“To be part of the London Marathon 40th race was a once in a lifetime opportunity and to run with the students and staff was the best possible outcome for me.

“Not only did we complete the 26.2 miles, but we are also Guinness World Record holders too.”

More than 37,000 people from all over the world competed in the race – a Guinness World Record.

Head teacher Beverley Scott-Herron said: “Everything that Mr Willcock does is for the school.

“He does it for the young people, for charities and for the community where it will make a difference.

“He is so selfless and is an amazing ambassador for our school.

“He is a role model for how human beings should be and his passion and dedication radiate across the whole community.”

She added: “If we had a Boteler mascot, for what the school means and stands for, then he would be our mascot.

“He is our champion because he promotes everything that we believe in.”