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Plant scientist Roberto Busi has won the Perth Marathon for the third consecutive year.

The wiry researcher from the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) completed the 42 kilometre race in an impressive two hours and 25 minutes.

"It's all the more remarkable because Roberto's speciality is five and 10 kilometre racing," said his boss, Winthrop Professor Steve Powles , director of AHRI, and a great supporter of his staff member's sport.

"What an incredible achievement for a man who does his training early in the morning or in the evening and spends the rest of his day working here at UWA.  He was competing against athletes who came from overseas, who are full-time runners," he said.

"His words to me, after the race, were: ‘It was so tough, so tough, so so so tough!' I think that summarises well Roberto's drive, ability and mental strength."

Research Assistant Professor Busi started his sporting life as a cyclist in Italy, but found he didn't have the time for road training when he started his PhD.  So he changed to running.

He moved to UWA in 2005 and spent more time in the first couple of years learning English than running competitively. But he started racing again and, in 2010, held the State titles for 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres, half-marathon and marathon. He has won the Perth Marathon four times.

"What's more, he achieves at this level at work too," Professor Powles said. "I wouldn't have him here if he didn't!"