With the race time of 2.05.07 after the 32 kilometres of pain in the mountainous terrain the 25-year old appeared relatively fresh upon reaching the finish line.

“I feel okay,” he said.

“I’ve been taking it easy for about three weeks coming up to this race, so I was ready.”

Although his parents still live in the Shoalhaven, Matthews is currently on his year of rural placement at Goulburn Hospital.

He is studying medicine at the well credential Australia National University in Canberra.

His triumph comes as a boost to the Sean Williams Endurance and Training Group, which helps both everyday runners and serious competitors hone their fitness skills.

Tim Cochrane of Parramatta was second, closely followed by Scott Weaver and Dan Thompson in third and fourth respectively.

It was a successful day for visiting competitors, with the first six positions being taken up by out-of-area runners.

The first local to cross the line was Damian Smith in seventh position.

An excellent effort in what was quiet a close finish from second place onwards.

The first female to cross the line was Judith May in 2.38.03 and Sabina Hamaty the first local female to finish.

Although this is naturally a supreme test of fitness for any entrant, the weather conditions this year were relatively kind, with an occasional head wind the only real factor.