ELY distance runner Mark Turner picked up a superb third place in an event billed by organisers as the ‘UK’s toughest footrace’.

Competitors taking on the Ultra Trail South West are tasked with completing 100 miles non-stop over coastal paths, inland trails and the famous Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall.

Out of 60 competitors who ran continuously for almost two days, in howling wind and rain, Mark came home in third place in 44hrs 27mins 14secs. First home was Dan Lawson in 41hrs 7mins 30secs.

In his diary of the race, Mark said: “I questioned what the hell I was doing numerous times and seriously considered calling a cab and heading back to a warm bed, not that I was tired or worn out just fed up with the weather and long haul ahead!

“There were lots of highs and lots of lows but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and now need more.”