Sutton schoolboy Tom Holden has secured a place in the Virgin London mini mara-thon next month, but will race against his own borough.

Holden, who runs for South London Harriers, has been selected to run for the south east regional team in the 13-14-year-olds boys’ race.

He was axed by Sutton after failing to compete in their London mini-marathon trials on Roundshaw Downs on Saturday, March 13.

That day, the Wilson’s schoolboy was winning the U13 race at the UK inter-counties championships in Birmingham.

It was the performance of his life, adding to the London and South of England titles he won at Parliament Hill Fields last November.

Despite pleas from his dad, Guy for a change of heart, Sutton officials refused to budge from their stance that only those who ran at Roundshaw Downs would be considered for the Sutton teams.

This is despite the fact that Holden won the Lord Mayor’s mile last year, representing Sutton, and finished as runner-up in last year’s London mini marathon, also wearing Sutton’s colours.

Councillor Graham Tope, the executive member for leisure on Sutton Council, twice asked Beverley Rand, of the council’s sports development team, to reconsider the decision, without success.

He then took the issue up with Colin Beech, the executive head of leisure and libraries, but he too declined to overrule on the matter.

Councillor Tope said: “Colin has reviewed the position. He has great sympathy for Mr Holden’s views.

“However, he does not believe that we can change from the approach adopted at the start of the trials as this had been advertised and agreed upon.

“It is too late to change and, if we did, it would disappoint other youngsters who have already qualified to compete.

“However, he does agree that this will be sorted clearly in good time for next year.”