THE owner of an optometry practice in Thornbury has sped to the top of the 2011 UK Half-marathon rankings.

Michael Johnson, 31, produced a superb run in the Barcelona International Half Marathon recently where he clocked just over 65 minutes.

Representing Wales in the event, he finished a fine seventh in a top class field led home by a quartet of Kenyans.

Since purchasing Johnson & Furze Optometrists and Opticians with his wife in December, Johnson has struggled to fit in training twice a day around the long hours working in the new business, typically leaving his house in Long Ashton before 6am and only returning shortly before midnight.

The less than ideal preparation makes his performance in Barcelona even more remarkable.

Johnson, who grew up in Winterbourne, might have even got under the 65 minute barrier had he not been left detached on his own after bravely going with the strong African contingent through the first 5K in a lightning quick 15:02.

The Bristol & West AC runner was subsequently misdirected the wrong way around a large roundabout at 18k, which enabled Spaniard Marc Roig to pip him to the first European spot.

Following his success in Spain, Johnson is now aiming for the British Championships, which are to be held on the last weekend in March, where he is now a firm contender for a medal.