Sandes second in California

Johannesburg - South African ultra-distance trail runner Ryan Sandes finished second in the Western States 100-mile (161km) endurance race in California on Sunday.

Sandes, in his first attempt at the race, crossed the line 18 minutes behind American winner Timothy Olson, who set a new course record of 14 hours, 46 minutes, 44 seconds (14:46:44).

The only South African in the field, Sandes also dipped under the previous record mark.

"Insane race today!" Sandes posted on his Twitter profile after the race.

"Happiest I've ever been with second. Ran under old course record.

"Massive congrats to Timmy. Awesome race!"

Another American, Nick Clark, finished third, 40 minutes behind the 30-year-old South African.

Meanwhile, Canadian Eleanor Greenwood made a remarkable recovery after finishing second in the 89km Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal only three weeks earlier.

Greenwood smashed Ann Trason's 18-year-old course record by more than 50 minutes, winning the women's race in 16:47:19.