SIMON Nott has achieved yet another landmark as he smashed his personal best in the Cardiff half-marathon, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

For the third time in just under seven months, the Calne Running Club chairman improved his time at the distance as he broke 68 minutes for the first time with a mark of 67mins 12secs.

That not only lifted him to fifth in the South West rankings, in the process strengthening his position as number one in Wiltshire, but also placed him 16th overall and sixth Brit – the top 10 finishers were all Kenyans – in a top-class field in Wales.

“I think that is probably the best race I have ever run,” said Nott.

“It was an exceptional day and a great field of runners. After my PB in the Chippenham half-marathon last month, I felt the pace was there to go quicker in a big city race with an elite field.

“I had that belief to run 67 minutes but to do so by such a big margin was a surprise, especially as from three miles I was pretty much on my own.

“It just shows that all the hard work I and my coach Denise put in is paying off. I am delighted.”

Turn back the clock exactly a year and Nott’s PB stood at 69mins 25secs, which he set when finishing runner-up in the Salisbury half-marathon.

This year, he has beaten that time three times; firstly with 68:49 in Reading, then 68:04 in Chippenham and now this first sub 68 minutes clocking at the biggest road race in Wales.

“It is about believing you can do it and being able to do the proper training to achieve that,” added Nott.

“Now looking ahead to 2020, the goal has to be to run under 67 minutes next. In the meantime, I’ll be racing some 10ks to improve my speed and defend my Tri Counties and Wiltshire cross country titles in December.

“I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Elsewhere, Avon Valley Runners’ Ed Knudsen continued his good form with victory in the Marshfield Mudlark 11k multi terrain race.

Knudsen, who is also the reigning Army cross-country champion, ran out a convincing winner in 45mins 35secs, while Chippenham Harriers’ Cordula Hurcum was top woman with AVR’s Jennifer Marlow third.