A teenage athlete with brittle bone disease trumped older opposition in a major sporting race when he sped in to third place.

Disabled wheelchair racer Jack Binstead competed in the 15 to 17 age category of the Mini London Wheelchair Marathon for the first time over the weekend.

The 15-year-old Paralympic hopeful, who has a blossoming acting career on the side, previously won the race when he was in a younger age category and was fully aware competition would be tough.

Proud parent Penny Binstead said: "This was a really big one for Jack. He is becoming a man and he is not a child anymore –he still beat so many of the older lot in his category.

"I am extremely proud of him."

Having been a wheelchair user since the age of three, Jack has suffered more than 60 broken bones to date.

Every time he breaks a bone it sets and heals in a slightly different position resulting in more breaks and further problems.

Chessington Community College pupil has battled against the odds to win the London mini-marathon three times; last year he battled a broken hip to win the marathon in the 14 and under age category.

In 2010 he scooped gold despite racing through the pain of a broken hip and in 2008 he finished first with a broken leg.

Mrs Binstead said: "He has really proved to people that if you are committed, persevere and work hard you can do absolutely anything."

"Jack is an inspiration to so many people. He could break at anytime but he never worries about that. He just does what he wants to do and gets on with it."

Jack is currently acting in a new television series called Bad Education that is set to air this summer and is also continuing with his athletic training.

He is also featuring in a series of TV adverts and billboards celebrating up and coming talented youngsters from across the capital.