A FREAK accident forced Swindon’s British ultra distance ace Nathan Montague to pull out of the prestigious ultra Trail Mount-Blanc (UTMB) running event in the French Alps at the weekend.

The Harrier was out for a relaxing jog on the eve of the race on the outskirts of the race HQ in Chamonix when he took a heavy tumble that required him being taken to hospital.

There, he was subsequently told there was no way he could start the 170-kilometre race incorporating 10,000 metres of ascent through the Alps.

“On the day preceding the race, on my typical shake-out light run to stretch the legs, descending from Planpraz halfway up Mt Brevent I was involved in a freak accident,” said Montague.

“A heavy fall onto rock caused a deep laceration to my right knee down close to the bone. After X-rays, tests and 12 internal and external stitches the reality of my UTMB goal was over.

“Gutted does not even close. Thankfully, the X-rays came back clear and there was no clear ligament or tendon damage.

“The doctor and surgeon were confident I will be back to fitness shortly after the wounds have healed.”

Montague, who lives in the Parks, has been told he must rest until he wound is fully healed but he should be back in training soon and has plenty of time to get himself back into top shape for his next big goal, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme 6-Day Marathon (KAEM) in South Africa at the end of next month.