TEENAGER Khalil Thompson is expected to leave his teachers lagging behind when he joins them in tackling the Great North Run for the first time.

Khalil will be among the youngest participants in this year's Newcastle to South Shields half-marathon.

Having just reached 17, he was previously unable to enter the annual 13.1-mile run, despite being a highly accomplished teenage athlete.

Aiming to complete the race in under 80 minutes - less than 20 minutes behind the winner - the Durham School pupil has also set himself a target of raising at least £500 in sponsorship.

He is running in support of ActionAid, one of the UK's largest international development organisations, which assists impoverished communities in more than 30 countries.

He will be joined by three teachers from his school on the September 30 run.

Head of English Stuart Kime, a second-time competitor, who hopes to break the two-hour barrier, is running in aid of a cystic fybrosis charity.

He chose it because the father of one of the school's pupils is a consultant who works with children who have the illness.

Biology teacher Michael Burke, who is supporting an Alzheimer's disease charity, and PE teacher Gary James are also taking part.

Khalil said: "I'm determined to do my bit for charity.

"It will be hard work, but it's also the chance to make a real difference to the lives of many people, especially children. All the money raised will be donated to help poor communities."

His athletic achievements, include being multiple age-group North-East champion at 800m and 1,500m, and county schools' cross-country winner.