Stroud AC star Tom Mortimer delivered the best display of his career last Tuesday night.

Competing in the Diamond League 3000m in Gateshead, he broke Steve Ovett's 44-year old U23 British record by three seconds with a time of 7min 38.73s.

Mortimer is now top of the European U23 rankings by 14s, and 7th overall in Europe.

The performance was made even more impressive by the fact he had ran the 5000m at the European U23 championships in Tallinn, Estonia, just three days earlier.

Whilst going for the win he tired in the heat late on and was caught to finish a disappointing 4th. Looking to make amends Mortimer flew back with the GB team on Monday evening and travelled straight to Gateshead.

Mortimer has already had an oustanding season. Not known as a 1500m runner, he won the home nations 1500m Championships as a guest representing Loughborough University.

That was followed by his first Senior GB call up in the European super league in the 5000m where he finished 4th, lowering his best time by 15s.

Stroud coach Chris Brown said “Tom is targeting the Paris Olympics in 2024. He had three aims this year: to get faster from 1500-5000m, be selected for the European U23 Championships and achieve the Commonwealth 5000m entry standard for next year. He has achieved all three.

"I have no doubt there is more still to come this summer, which could move him into the world class elite bracket a lot earlier than planned."