Jamie Gane: Para-athlete smashes Guinness World Record

Jamie Gane, 30, a teacher from Oakley has secured a world record after completing a 24-hour running challenge at Down Grange.

He set out to break the record for 'The greatest distance covered on foot by an amputee in a 24-hour period,' on Saturday, November 16, and nearly doubled the previous record.

Jamie didn't just beat it, he nearly doubled the previous world record of 61.15km - running an impressive 100km with five minutes to spare.

READ MORE: Amputee athlete aiming to break world record at Down Grange this weekend

Jamie Gane smashed the world record this weekend (Image: Sean Dillow/The Big Cheese Photography)

Speaking to the Gazette, Jamie explained that his achievement has brought him pride.

He said: "I am very proud, I managed to achieve the World Record after 10 hours, just after 7pm on Saturday. I then ran the additional distance and covered 100km just before 9am on Sunday morning."

Having broken the record early on into his attempt, Jamie explained that one thought was going through his head at the moment he realised.

He said: "Once I hit it, my only thought was 'just keep going', I said to myself 'okay, can I hit 100k?

"It was quite dark when I hit it. I'd planned to have done it an hour before, and I had a lot of family, friends and even students turn up to cheer me on. It was really nice to do it with them all there.

"As I went on, it started to get painful, I made 100km the goal and went for an hour's nap at quarter to 12."

Jamie must now wait three months after submitting his footage, log book and testimonies from witnesses to be officially confirmed as a Guinness World Record holder.

Jamie, who made the life-changing decision to have his leg amputated aged 23 after suffering from severe and chronic plantar fasciitis since the age of 11, he used to endure excruciating pain in his right foot, knows that his story will inspire many to take on similar challenges.

He said: "For me, the challenge was what can I do in the next walk of life? That's how I see things, I set a goal and pluck away. You've got to keep going in a forward direction."

You might think that after completing a World Record, he might want to take it easy and rest up, but in classic Jamie fashion, the talented athlete already has his eyes on his next prize.

He said: "My next challenge is the British Championship for Obstacle Racing in December, followed by the European Championships and World Championships next year. I'll be in Scotland, Portugal and Sweden - it's non-stop but less busy than this year has been.

"I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and supported me, my friends, family and students, to Basingstoke Athletics Club for helping with the lights and Wessex Wyvern Pentathlon Club."