DAN Robinson's build-up to the Virgin London Marathon next month has been given a big lift with an assured performance in the Bath Half.

The Nailsworth international may race again in the Eastleigh 10K in two weeks time – pending the imminent birth of his second child to wife Jess – but otherwise the manner in which he covered the 13.1 miles around the Roman city in 64 minutes, 44 seconds told him everything he needed to know about his current fitness.

"I wanted to get around in about 64 minutes without running myself into the ground and that's what I did," said Robinson, who looked barely out of breath within seconds of crossing the line.

"I eased off for a couple of days but otherwise I've been training really hard for London. That's just what I wanted.

"I felt really strong and was comfortable at that pace."

Out on the course, coach Chris Frapwell said he had never seen the double Olympian look so comfortable.

"I saw him at four and 10 miles and on both occasions he looked like he was jogging," said Frapwell.

"I think that is the most relaxed I have seen Dan in a race at that speed and he told me afterwards he could have kept that going.

"He certainly looked very strong and recovered quickly. I'm sure he could have run a minute or so quicker but then his legs would have been knackered and there was no point in doing that for this race. It is all about getting it right for London."

The race was won by Kenyan Ezekiel Cherop in 63.03 with Robinson's British marathon team-mate Thomas Abyu, who revealed he will not be racing London, runner-up for the second successive year in 63.48.

Bath half marathon, Men: 1 Ezekiel Cherop (Kenya) 63.03, 2 Thomas Abyu (Salford) 63.48, 3 Simon Tonui (Kenya) 64.30, 4 Dan Robinson (Stroud) 64.44.

■ Stroud AC runner Rob Gornall finished 10th from 1,491 runners in the Grizzly 20 Mile multi-terrain event in Devon, clocking 2:42.59.