NATHAN Montague celebrated his return to England international duty with a team gold in Scotland at the weekend, writes Kevin Faheyy.

The 35-year-old Swindon Harrier finished seventh in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k road race, which also incorporated the UK Championships, in Perth, completing the course in a time of seven hours 37 minutes and 27 seconds.

Montague, from Swindon, was understandably delighted to help England win the team honours, but had mixed feelings about his overall performance.

“I always leave everything on the course and give it my maximum, but I just felt I had no strength in my legs when I needed it,” said Montague.

“I felt a little fatigued, so I know that I have more to offer at this distance.

“But I have to be reasonably satisfied with seventh, running a personal best for the distance and helping England win team gold.

“I will take that.”

It retrospect, Montague’s lack of power and spark in his legs when he needed to push on should come as no surprise as only two weeks previous, he was adding another superb victory to his impressive CV as one of the world’s best ultra distance runners.

Montague more than justified his invitation to the Wild Elephant Trail stage race in Sri Lanka with a magnificent win to follow up his success in the iconic six-day Kalahari Desert Augrabies Extreme Marathon towards the end of 2015.

Held over six stages, comprising 210 kilometres and a climb of almost 2,000 steps to the finish line on the famous Sigiriya rock fortress, Montague was in a class of his own as he won in 19 hours, 10 minutes, leaving him one-and-a-half hours clear.

“Racing in Sri Lanka was the most amazing experience,” added Montague.

“But it was very tough due to the heat, which topped 40 degrees centigrade at times, and very high humidity, and during the race we were sleeping on floors in temples and local people’s houses, so I didn’t sleep very well at all.

“I also didn’t ease down for the event as the 100k was the priority, so I had to dig deep and that took its toll on my legs.

“But I am ecstatic to have won the event and it was a brilliant race. I have to once again thank everyone who helped me, from family, friends and my sponsors. They have all been incredible.”

Montague is taking a well-earned break before turning his attention to his next major race, which will be the UK Trail Running Championships, again in Scotland, at the end of April.