Pictures: Stopford makes it three in a row at Stroud Half Marathon

Stroud and District AC runner Lee Stopford clocked up a hat-trick of Stroud Half Marathon wins, storming home at the 41st staging of the popular event on Sunday.

More than 800 runners took part on a sunny autumn day, with unstoppable Stopford hitting the tape ahead of Swansea Harriers runner Matthew Rees, clocking a winning chip time of 01:10:59, with Rees finishing second in 01:11:09. Third place went to Stroud AC’s Benjamin Gregory clocking a time of 01:11:41.

Stroud half marathon 23 40 | Pictures: Stopford makes it three in a row at Stroud Half Marathon — Stroud’s Rachel Felton was first woman to cross the line.

Stroud’s Rachel Felton was first female runner home in 01:20:18, finishing 19th overall. Amber Bullingham from Western Tempo was the second woman across the line in a time of 01:24:56.

Stroud half marathon 23 132 | Pictures: Stopford makes it three in a row at Stroud Half Marathon — Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie was raising money for Rush Skatepark.

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie finished with a time of 02:03:22, raising money for Rush Skatepark.

Stroud half marathon 23 124 | Pictures: Stopford makes it three in a row at Stroud Half Marathon — Stroud’s Jeff Waters has competed in every Stroud Half Marathon.

Familiar faces on the testing 13.1-mile course featured Stroud runner Jeff Waters and Dursley AC veteran Kevin Jackson, who have taken part in every Stroud Half since the race was launched in 1982.

Pictures by Matt Bigwood – swipe through the gallery below

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