TREADING ancient trading paths, Swindon long distance star Nathan Montague showed a real warrior’s spirit to make the podium in the Ultra Trail of the Gobi.

Even amongst the growing ultra distance fraternity this was an extreme endurance challenge with Montague and his rivals having to tackle 400 km race across the Gobi desert following the ancient Silk Road – and it was also self-supported, self-navigated and non-stop.

But for Montague it seems the harder the better as he finished an exceptional third from a field that included many of the sport’s top exponents from China as well as American 100km World Championships silver medallist Michael Wardian.

“I am so happy,” said Montague. “It was the single, hardest race of my life due to the sheer vastness of the course and the lack of sleep so I am ecstatic to make the podium with third place.

“I am just ecstatic about the outcome.”

The event was always Montague’s target for 2017 but his build-up was hampered by injuries and illness, which forced to pull out of two of his warm-up races.

Nonetheless, he maintained his focus and received a morale-boosting victory in the Round The Isle of Wight race, breaking his own course record.

But traveling to China for such a huge challenge still left him feeling apprehensive.

“The Ultra Gobi 400k route throws up the most unthinkable diversity in terms of environment conditions,” he added.

“It is run at minimum 1500m altitude throughout peaking at 3500m. Also the temperature can change from 35C in the day to snow storms and minus 15 with bone-crushing winds.

“We were lucky with highs in early 30s and though cold at night it didn’t drop to those depths.

“But you have to prepare, and carrying the mandatory kit is paramount as it literally could save your life.

“No matter what information you are given nothing can prepare you for the diversity of terrain throughout – from mountain passes, miles of canyons, sand dunes, hillocks, unsteady rocky land and bushes that cut you to ribbons.”