DESPITE breaking his leg just eight weeks ago, Rory Laughton-Scott was determined to complete the 10-mile Great South Run in memory of his best friend.

And he did it on crutches.

Mr Laughton-Scott, 24, was one of 24,000 people running through Portsmouth last Sunday.

After the race he said: “The crutches went really well. I went off like the clappers, and was speeding round for the first six miles.

“There were thousands of people lining the streets on the day to watch the race, and I got clapped and encouraged by pretty much all of them, which was great.

“I felt like my challenge wasn’t that impressive when I saw soldiers with full kit, fireman carrying their water tanks on their backs, and a full-size Mr Bump struggling round.

“The last two miles, though, were very tough, with my hands blistering up quite badly. But it was all worth it when I crossed the finishing line.”

He completed the run on crutches in two hours and 21 minutes, which he said he was “well chuffed” with.

As part of his training regime. Mr Laughton-Scott, who broke his leg playing football, hobbled up Headington Hill and down Gypsy Lane three times a week.

Mr Laughton-Scott, who works at Oxford Brookes University’s business department, was driven on by the memory of his friend Oliver Shilling, who died from leukaemia two years ago at the age of 20.

So far Mr Laughton-Scott, who lives in Cowley, has raised more than £1,000 for Leukaemia Research.

To donate to Mr Laughton-Scott’s cause, visit justgiving.com/Rory-Laughton-Scott0