Lee Stopford was too hot for his rivals as he recorded back-to-back wins in this year’s Summer Sizzler, the 10K race that takes place in the stunning Cirencester Park.

The 38-year-old Stroud Athletic Club runner finished in 33 minutes, 20.3 seconds, just over a minute ahead of second-placed Steve Kenyon, of Severn Athletic Club.

“It was very hot, the second half of the race was a bit of a struggle,” admitted Stopford.

“I wasn’t absolutely on my A game but I was pretty close. 

“I was about one minute, 15 seconds down on my time last year but it’s always nice to get over the line in first place.”

Stopford, who lives in Middleyard which isn’t far from Stroud, is in his seventh year with Stroud Athletic Club and he’s made a habit of winning back-to-back titles because he’s won the Stroud Half Marathon for the past couple of years.

The former Maidenhill School pupil, who grew up in Ebley, has made no decision on whether he will run the Summer Sizzler next year, although he did say: “It’s such a lovely place to run.”

The race is organised by Cirencester Athletics Club and there were plenty of cheers when home runner Rob Forbes crossed the line in fourth place in 35 minutes, six seconds.

Stopford, meanwhile, is looking forward to competing in the Cotswold Way Relay on Saturday 1st July.

“It’s a trail race, it’s my favourite event,” he said. “It’s a team event, 10 runners. You don’t get to run as part of a team very often.”