THERE is not much that brings Swindon ultra running star Nathan Montague out in a sweat but the looming prospect of making his debut in the Ultra-Trail Gobi event is getting his pulse racing, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Montague is one of the most experienced long distance experts in the UK but even he admits that tackling the 400k single-stage event through the unforgiving Gobi desert in Western China will take him into areas he has never been before.

“The event itself scares me as I am not sure what to expect,” said 35-year-old Montague, who lives in The Parks area of the town.

“I have been made aware that it is going to be pretty big over there because it is the first super-ultra race in China. I fly out on Saturday and as soon as I arrive in China on Sunday I have to go into a press conference.

“I think there could be quite a big circus with this event because the Chinese organisers have invested a lot of money in it and invited some of the top ultra runners in the world.”

The 400k race, which starts next Wednesday is held in a single stage with runners resting when they feel like they need to at one of the 12 aid stations dotted around the daunting one-lap course.

But when they stop to rest, eat and drink the clock keeps ticking so all the runners will be conscious of not being able to stop for too long if they want to do well – and ultimately there is a time limit of 150 hours in which to complete the event.

On top of that the weather conditions may range from minus 15 at night to 30C in the day, going from snow to wearing shorts and vest so Montague will have to ensure he has all the right kit.

“Preparing for heat is okay but preparing for multiple variables like running across desert, salt plains and mountains in all sorts of temperatures is very difficult,” added Montague.

“I am also going to have to take great care over hydration and possibly hypothermia so this event is basically on another level to anything I have ever done before.

“It is definitely the most challenging event I have ever done. There is fear but it is not a negative thing; it is the fear of the unknown with so many different factors.

“But I am also very excited as there is an elite field invited from around the world with a huge pedigree. I put myself down as a novice compared to some of the guys entered but I’ll give it my best.”