IT is no surprise that James Donald loves the Imber Ultra race.

Donald, who works at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in Swindon, has completed the 33 miles race around Salisbury Plain every year since it was launched in 2014 jointly by Avon Valley Runners and the Rotary Club of Westbury.

Fourth on that occasion, he improved to second in 2015 and 2016 before winning it for the first time last year.

On Sunday, he successfully retained his title, clocking a personal best of 4hrs 4mins 02secs for the course to finish over seven minutes clear of the field.

“It was a personal best for me on the course by a couple of minutes so I was pleased with that,” said Donald.

“For a change we had a tail-wind in the last couple of miles but it was quite muddy at the start after all the snow.

“But I managed to pace it really well and felt strong at the end whereas in the past I have been in bits – so I must be getting better at running it.”

Donald, who is a member of Team Bath AC, led a clean sweep with clubmates Guy Landon and Josh Taylor finishing second and third respectively over a challenging route that incorporates trails, bridleways, paths and roads.

“Hopefully this will all help towards running a fast time in the London Marathon which is my big aim,” added Donald, who hopes to attack his personal best of 2:39.30 set in London three years ago.

“Then in May I and some team-mates have entered around the island of Guernsey race so that should be interesting.”

The trio ensured that Team Bath ran away with the men’s team prize while the Avon Valley Runners’ pair of Leah Sartin and Jo Farion finished top women’s team.