Martine Scholes on her way to third place in her first Jersey Spartan Half-Marathon on Sunday. (Picture by Jon Guegan, 0873179)

Having already triumphed in the Guernsey Marathon, the 28-year-old Sarnian was well clear of Jerseyman Paul Holley, a UK-based athlete in second place, and Peter Norris, third, the winner for the previous two years.

Although pleased to win, Dawes was not happy with his time of 1hr 15min. 12sec.. However, he put that down to the strong head winds the large field of around 400 faced on the homeward leg of the 13.2-mile course around the eastern parishes.

‘Conditions were horrible on the way back,’ said Dawes, who had not specifically targeted the event, but entered because of his good form.

‘I thought I might as well go and run it, but I’m disappointed in the time. It was good going outwards, even though it was uphill, but after nine miles the wind was in your face and it was a bit of a struggle.’

The Sarnian did not, however, look to be struggling at all as he completed the course circuit with a lap around the FB Fields track.

Dawes will now target the Hampshire county championships, where he is aiming for a top five finish this year, having finished eighth for the previous three years.