TOP Wiltshire ultra-runner Nathan Montague is really back in the groove after completing impressive back-to-back victories.

The 34-year-old Swindon Harrier added the Marlborough Downs Challenge 33 miles title to his success in the two-day 100k Pony Express event held in the New Forest.

“I am really happy with that,” said Montague. “I have been meaning to do this event for a few years as I often train on the Downs. It is an excellent race.”

As if racing 33 miles wasn’t hard enough Montague, who last year was named male runner of 2014 in the annual UK Ultra Runner Awards, made life more difficult for himself by going off course.

“It was between three to four miles that I made a mistake and took four other guys with me,” he added. “Eventually they turned back as they thought it was the wrong way but I stubbornly carried on until I realised it was wrong. I then had to wade through fields of waist-high stinging nettles and jump over a few barbed wire fences before I finally re-joined the race.”

By which time he had slipped from the lead into the fifties. Fortunately Montague is experienced enough to know not to panic and with a couple of hours racing remaining there was plenty of time to correct his mistake.

“I stayed patient and relaxed and worked my way steadily back to the leaders,” said Montague.