Byles, who is set to take part in the World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia early next month, ran the 10-kilometre race in just under 35 minutes.

Although pleased to win yesterday’s challenge, Byles said his main focus heading into the race was to find some solid form before travelling to Slovenia next week.

“It was a good hit-out for me,” he said.

“I wasn’t really concerned so much about the time I ran but rather just getting out there and having a run, but it’s always good to win.”

Byles also won this year’s Nail Can Hill run in May, and the busy schedule appears to have taken its toll on the young runner.

“I’ve been running a lot in Melbourne lately and I have picked up a bit of an achilles injury,” Byles said.

“I think it’s just a bit of a strain and obviously if I had really damaged it badly I wouldn’t have been able to run on it.

“I’ve got an ultrasound on Tuesday and so we’ll see how it is then, but there’s not much I can really do about it now.”

Colleen Middleton was the winner of the women’s 10-kilometre race with a time of 41 minutes and 7 seconds and, along with other local runners Ben Buckingham and Ellie O’Kane, will join Byles at the Slovenian championships.

“It was a pleasing result after yesterday’s training session because it’s a tough run,” Middleton said.

“The numbers were bigger than last year and the weather was probably better than last year too so it was good practice.”

But like Byles, Middleton remains focused on the challenges that lay ahead in Slovenia.

“It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a fantastic opportunity,” she said.

“It’s a top-class event and although it’s a little bit daunting, I wouldn’t miss it.”

The FedHill Challenge is growing in popularity each year.

Results — page 48