Plane problem delays Steve’s North Pole marathon

READY TO RUN: Steve and fellow runners board the plane for the Arctic

TEACHER Steve Hill’s latest daredevil challenge has been delayed by an aeroplane problem.

The deaputy head of St Joseph’s Primary School, Shaw will now complete the North Pole Marathon today — but still plans to be back at school on Monday!

The marathon — the coldest in the world — was put back a day after a plane due to take the runners to the Arctic, damaged its landing gear.

The competitors will now fly from their base in Svalbard, off the north coast of Norway, to the North Pole today.

Steve said: “It has put us back about 36 hours — but these things happen in this region.”

He may even find himself running at night, but he added: “That doesn’t matter because there’s 24-hour daylight. I am ready to go and I’m not as nervous as I think I should be! There are 44 runners and there’s a real buzz among us all.”

Steve has previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc and Mount Elbrus, trekked through the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Borneo and driven a team of huskies in the Arctic to raise money.

Last year he trekked to Everest base camp before competing in the world’s highest marathon.

His annual challenges have helped his year six classes to raise more than than £50,000 for various charities