SWINDON ultra-distance running star Nathan Montague has faced some huge challenge in his career - but maybe none so daunting as getting lost in the Gobi Desert, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The Swindon Harrier suffered a catastrophic failure of his GPS equipment in the recent Ultra Gobi race, which is a 400k non-stop, self-navigated, self-supported race though one of the most challenging terrains on the planet, lying on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau in western China.

“I was actually doing pretty well in the event lying in third position and chasing second when the incident happened,” said Montague.

“I was running through the night when my GPS broke down and I didn’t realise it. I kept following the arrow but it was broken and so I went completely off track for around seven hours.

“When I finally realised something was wrong as it grew light I had no idea where I was at all. So I climbed to the top of a nearby peak and saw a vehicle in the distance.

“I started waving and shouting at the vehicle and they came over to me. There was a Chinese medic on board and he checked me over before I resumed the race back on the right course.”

By that time Montague’s hopes of finishing on the podium again – he was third last year – had disappeared and he had to settle for a hard-earned and valiant sixth place overall.

“To be honest I have been so happy to finish an ultra race, I was ecstatic,” added Montague.

“People ask me whether I was frightened being lost in the Gobi Desert but more than anything I was annoyed that a place on the podium had slipped away.

“I never even contemplated that I wouldn’t be found by race officials or wouldn’t finish the race. But looking back now at home in Swindon it was a bit intimidating especially when running for 400k, 100k of which was above 3000 metres, without hardly any sleep you suffer from delirium and become semi hypothermic.

“I returned home feeling battered but I survived.”

Notwithstanding those difficulties Montague is taking great encouragement from getting involved in the sport again after a tough year in which illness and injury has disrupted his plans.

“You know it was an amazing adventure and even though it was a late invite to take part I am glad I did it,” said Montague.

“After all the problems I have had this year I was worried about my resilience but the Gobi race hammered home the fact it is still there because I have never fought so hard in an ultra event.

“I feel I have got my mojo back.”