ALLEN Smalls has been crowned the UK 100K ultra-running champion.

Smalls, a member of Colchester Harriers, triumphed in the Anglo Celtic Plate UK 100km race, held at Redwick in Monmouthshire, Wales.

Despite the extreme heat, a gutsy Smalls started strongly and was soon leading after the 10K mark, which he reached in 41mins 41secs.

There was a real tussle at the front, with Smalls involved in an epic battle with Ireland’s Keith Wyhte and England team-mate Craig Holgate. However, Irish athlete Whyte was not eligible for the UK Championships.

The trail-blazing trio never gave an inch. Wyhte reached the half-way 50km point in 3.27.30, with Smalls a close second in 3.30.30.

With the heat taking its toil, the leading threesome plugged away on the 32-lap circuit, amounting to 62 miles.

Wyhte finally started to pull away from Smalls to take the overall win, but the Colchester athlete merely had to finish ahead of Holgate to win the UK title.

It all came down to the final lap. Holgate caught Smalls at the bell, and it effectively ended with an exciting and close sprint finish.

Smalls proved the quicker, stopping the clock at 7hrs 25mins 02secs to finish second overall in the race, behind Whyte (7.16.42), but crowned UK champion.