Graham Aitchison will be running the ‘summer sizzler’ for the first time as a married man tonight.

The 40-year-old will line up for the start of the Cirencester 10K alongside his wife of six months Laurie but admits he may fall just short of his target time of 46 minutes.

“I may finish closer to 47 minutes,” he said, “I have overindulged a bit recently. I’ve also got a bit of a knee injury so we’ll just have to see how things go. I’ll be doing well to get round in 46 minutes.”

The race around the stunning Cirencester Park gets under way at 7.30pm and 400 runners are expected to go under starter’s orders.

The event is organised by Cirencester Athletics Club but is open to competitors from other clubs.

Mr and Mrs Aitchison run for the Cirencester-based Running Somewhere Else club, so-called because the members meet at the Somewhere Else bar in Castle Street in Cirencester.

It’s a 100-strong friendly club that was formed 10 years ago this year and it is through the club that Graham and Laurie first met.

Graham, who designs knee implants for Cirencester-based firm Corin, took up running four years ago.

“I wanted to get fitter and also wanted to make sure I got out of work on time,” he chuckled.

Graham, who lives in Cirencester, has run the summer sizzler before and is looking forward to running in a park that would surely be competing for medals if there were a competition for the most beautiful parks in the UK.

“It’s a great place to run,” he said. “It’s a nice green area and you’re out in the countryside so you can get away from everything.

“There are flat parts, hills and some trail running so there is plenty of variety.

“It’s a good size field and a good event.”

So, who will cross the finishing line first in the Aitchison family?

“I think I will,” Graham laughed, “I think I’m a little bit faster. Laurie is a good runner and I think she’ll finish in about 50 minutes.”

And now that Graham has caught the running bug, how long does he want to continue in the sport?

“For as long as I can,” he said, before adding with a laugh, “when my knee packs up I’ll just make myself a new one!”

Tonight’s race will start and finish close to the polo pavilion. A 3k race designed for juniors but open to all ages including accompanying parents will start by the polo pavilion at 6.45pm.