JAMES Donald is hoping that the Bath half marathon will be the springboard for a big year ahead, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 31-year-old, who works at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in North Star Avenue, smashed his personal best in Sunday’s event.

Going into the race with a five-year-old best of 76 minutes 20 seconds, he finished on Great Pulteney Street in a super time of 74:34.

“It is the first time I have run a half marathon seriously since I joined Team Bath,” said Donald.

“Before, I was aiming for a time around 75 minutes but I have been going well in training, so I thought I would just go for it and it went really well. I was really pleased with my time.”

Donald was using the race as preparation for the London Marathon next month, when he will be looking to attack his PB of 2:48.50, which he ran in the capital last year.

“The good thing about my time in Bath and getting under 75 minutes is that it means I qualify automatically for a place on the championship start in future,” added Donald.

“Hopefully I can break my PB in London now.”

More immediately, Donald will be switching his focus towards the popular ultra running scene and on Sunday, he tackles the Imber Ultra Marathon trial run of 33 miles, whic starts in Westbury and taking in large sections of Salisbury Plain.

“The Imber event was launched last year and it is a great race,” added Donald.

“I was fourth last year and I would love to win it this time but we’ll see.

“I am definitely focussing more on longer races now.”