Six-time Paralympian Michael Milton has competed on the world’s largest sporting stage but admits his world record attempt at this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon (6 – 7 July) could be his toughest challenge to date.

The Australian Paralympic skier, cyclist and paratriathlete will run the 42.195km course on Sunday 7 July using a world-first custom-made pair of carbon fibre crutches with the aim of beating the Guinness World Record time for a marathon on crutches.

The record stands at six hours, 42 minutes and 47 seconds.

Last week we got the chance to interview Michael and we learnt more about the reasons why he has chosen to run, his training efforts, how he is feeling during the lead-up and his views on the growth of the Paralympic Games.

Q1. When did you decide to take on this challenge? What drove you to your decision and why?

I have had a marathon on the bucket list for a long time. I have always enjoyed running but didn’t do much during the second half of my skiing career as I have some overuse injury issues, etc. After skiing and cycling I got into triathlon so I returned to some running. I then developed some very special running crutches and started to think a marathon may be possible. I’ve been building up to it distance-wise but, when I completed my first half marathon a couple of months ago, I decided it was time to have a crack at the longer distance.

Q2. You have a long list of both sporting and life achievements. Where will this sit in comparison when you cross the finish line?

It is hard to say until I’ve been through the pain, finished and know the final result. I hope I can finish and, when I do, it will feel great to accomplish a major goal, even better to share it with my young family. I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.

Q3. Do you believe that this will be one of the hardest challenges you have set out to achieve?

This could be the hardest physical challenge so far. Running on crutches for around six hours will be super tough.

Q4. How are you feeling two weeks out? Confident, nervous, excited?

Definitely nervous. My preparation so far has not been great. That’s weighing on my mind as 42km is the great unknown for me. I just don’t know how deep I will have to dig. I am prepared to put my all into it on the day though.