WHEELCHAIR racer Illias Zghoundi isn’t deterred by silly little things like distances.

The talented teenager took on “the biggest challenge” of his career so far last month when he competed in the Brighton Half Marathon. But far from being overwhelmed by the 13.1 mile course, the 17-year-old (pictured) powered his way to victory, crossing the finish line in a little over one hour and five minutes.

“I really didn’t enter the half-marathon to win it, I was just aiming to do my best,” said Illias. “I felt strong on the day, and although the conditions weren’t great, I managed to win it. I’m really pleased.”

Next up, Illias, who lives in West Hampstead, will be donning his Team Camden colours when he bids to win the Mini London Marathon for the fourth year in a row. It would be yet another remarkable achievement for the Maria Fidelis A-Level student, who is ranked No. 1 in his age group in the UK.

Arguably Illias’s biggest challenge in 2024, however, comes away from the race track. He is currently trying to raise the funds needed to buy a new racing wheelchair, which will cost upwards of £25,000.

Anyone interested in helping the speedster close in on his dream of one day competing at the Paralympics can visit www.gofundme.com and search for: Illias Zghoundi