GLOBE-TROTTING Swindon ultra running star Nathan Montague will be back on his travels again in the autumn, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 35-year-old from The Parks area of the town has been invited to take part in the inaugural Ultra-Trail Gobi race, a 400-kilometre event through the unforgiving Gobi desert in Western China.

It is the first super-ultra distance race to be ever staged in China and Montague is the only British runner so far to be asked to take part.

“When I won the Wild Elephant Trail stage race in Sri Lanka (a 210-kilometre event held over six stages won in 19 hours 10 minutes) I did an interview with the Runners’ World China magazine and the invite to the Gobi race came on the back of that,” said Montague.

“It is an amazing opportunity for me as all my costs will be paid for. It will also be ideal preparation for my first 24-hour race which I am planning next year.”

The 400k event will be one of the toughest Montague has ever tackled not just because of the format but also due to the terrain and conditions he will face when the race gets underway on September 28.

“The 400k is a single stage race in which we will have to carry our own satellite phone and GPS equipment,” added Montague.

“There will be rest stops and feed stops but when you stop the time will count towards your final time (there is a time limit of 150 hours to complete the course).

“Also looking at the temperature it can range from minus 15 at night to 30C in the day, going from snow to wearing shorts and vest and that is a he challenge but also a very exciting one.

“I am really looking forward to the race.”

Montague returned from an active break with his first race since March when he retained his Round The Isle of Wight title last weekend, completing the two-day 70-mile challenge in just under nine-and-a-half hours.

“It is the third time I have won this event and it was nice to feel competitive and give the legs a shake-out, ” said Montague.

“I didn’t feel too good on the first day but on the second day I felt a lot stronger and pushed on the pace and that felt good. To be honest the race went a lot better than I thought and it shows I am getting back into shape.

“I feel I am in a good place now and I am really looking forward to the next 18 months as I have a lot of big events planned.”