ULTRA endurance runners from across the country took part in Sunday’s second-ever Imber Ultra Marathon.

More than 130 competitors tackled the gruelling 33-mile race, which began at the Leighton Recreation Centre and took in the slopes of Salisbury Plain and the Imber Range Perimeter Path.

Organised by both Avon Valley Runners and the Westbury Rotary Club, the race was launched last year and this term raised more than £2,500 for Westbury charity Crosspoint and WheelPower, the national organisation for wheelchair sport.

Edward Catmur, from London, was the only competitor to complete the course in under four hours, the Thames Hare and Hounds Running Club runner finishing in 3:51:07, smashing the course record by more than eight minutes.

He said: “It was nice and there were really good conditions. It started to drizzle a bit but there wasn’t much wind. Underfoot was excellent.”

Team Bath’s James Donald was second in 4:06:49 whilst Steve Muir took third-place in 4:24:17.

The fastest lady of the day was AECC Running Club’s Linn Sahlström (5:24:48).

Avon Valley Runners race director Richard Hudson said: “I think it was a great success because we raised a good amount of money for charity and sent home some happy customers. We may not have 15,000 like the Bath Half (Marathon) but it’s a niche event that’s attracted some very good runners – the winner, Edward Catmur, has won races all over the UK at the 100-mile distance.’’