Matthews ran clear of the other contenders at about the 25km mark, but had some trouble out in front as the lead motorbike made a wrong turn and led Matthews up the wrong track.

But the mistake was soon rectified as Matthews turned around, ran back to the proper track and powered on to record the second fastest time in the event’s 10-year history.

He was less than five minutes outside the race record set by Barry Kleem in 2006.

Matthews hails from Turramurra in Sydney, but is studying post-graduate medicine at the Australian National University in Canberra.

This year he is doing a year-long placement at Goulburn Base Hospital.

Matthews’ result was made all the more remarkable by the fact he has only taken up marathon running this year.

“I used to do a bit of triathlon, so I do have a background in running but I’m still learning,” he said.

The win was his third this year, adding to his victories in the Shoalhaven King of the Mountain 32km and the Canberra Bush Capital Marathon.

The 25-year-old has already been identified by national marathon team selectors, but said his studies came first.

He was picked to travel to Austria for a long-distance cross-country race last weekend.

“Representing Australia isn’t something I have had the opportunity to do because with work and the money situation it’s a bit too hard at the moment,” Matthews said.

“But once I get settled with a fulltime job, I would like to do overseas marathons when I get annual leave.”

For now, his focus is on his end-of -year university exams and training for races in 2010.

Matthews has decided to specialise in off-road running for now, but would not rule out making a switch to on-road marathon running like is seen at the Olympic Games.