THE best race of my career was Damian Hall’s unequivocal verdict on his top ten finish in the 2018 Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc race.
Hall’s fifth place in the Blue Riband event, which comprises 171k and 9,789m of climbing the peaks and valleys around the intersection of France, Italy, and Switzerland, was the best by a British runner since Jez Bragg won it in 2010.
“I am just over-whelmed, it is amazing,” said Hall, who is a member of Team Bath AC and Corsham Running Club.
“I know it sounds like one of those clichés that footballers get criticised for when they say they are over the moon, but that is how I feel.
“Fifth place exceeded all my expectations.”
Hall, who works as a freelance journalist in Bath and lives in Box just outside the city, made his debut in the UTMB in 2015 when he valiantly came home in 33rd place more than five hours behind the winner.
On Sunday he finished in 22hrs 35mins 13secs with Frenchman Xavier Thevenard notching up win number three in 20hrs 44mins 16secs.