Jez Bragg

Ultra runner Jez Bragg finished fourth in one of the world’s toughest endurance races.

Dorset-based Bragg held the lead in the Western States 100 for an hour and a half in the early stages before being overtaken in the race, in the Sierra Nevada of California.

The Wimborne runner, who broke the record in this year’s Fellsman in the Yorkshire Dales, fought back to second place but was pipped at the finish, following eventual winner Spaniard Kilian Jornet, who crossed the line in a time of 15hrs 34min. Bragg finished 21 minutes later.

Second place went to US runner Mike Wolfe, with fellow American Nick Clark third.

Canadian Ellie Greenwood was first woman, with a time of 17hrs 55min.

The Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile (161km) ultra marathon, follows the trails originally used by gold and silver miners in the 19th century, starts at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort and ends at Auburn, taking in 4,737m (15,540ft) of ascent and 7,000m (22,970ft) of descent after its 5am start.

The North Face team member Bragg came third in the 2009 race. He said before this year’s event: “The Western States is the absolute ultra race to run in the US, and year on year attracts all the best runners to battle it out on a fast but very challenging 100-mile course in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

“The race is a complete adventure in itself combining remote mountainous trails, heat – particularly in the several canyons – and altitude in the early stages.”

He will now turn his attention to the defence of his title in The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in August.