Billericay Striders’ David Butler was a double gold-medallist at the British & Irish Masters international in Glasgow.

The 58-year-old was the first over-55 home in dreadful conditions at Bellahouston Park and led the England team to overall victory in the process.

It was the second victory in as many years for Butler who won the event when it was held in Northern Ireland last year.

Butler, from Billericay, said: “Two gold medals in two years can’t be bad!

“This year we won the team event too which was great. We only won the silver medal last year but we had a few new runners which helped us win the title.”

Butler, who has only been running seriously for the past five years, revealed he wasn’t too optimistic about his chances when he turned up at the course on Saturday morning.

“It was a rough old day,” said Butler. “It was extremely windy and wet and the course was very boggy.

“It was a proper old-fashioned cross-country course, but it didn’t really suit me because I am so light.

“I went off quite steady but started to come through the field.

“By the end of the first lap I passed the leading English guy (Greg Wilson) in my age group and didn’t see him again.

“Afterwards he said he was only about 10 seconds behind me but I never knew that.

“To win the gold medal for my age group was fantastic, especially in conditions which didn’t suit me.”

Butler admitted he had put a bit more pressure on himself this year after winning the race 12 months earlier and was, therefore, delighted to repeat the feat.

“It was my first time competing in the event last year so I didn’t really know what to expect and it was a nice surprise to win,” he said. “ Going back there this year there was a bit more expectation so I’m delighted to have won again.”

Butler’s training partner, Michael Bridgeland, from Chelmsford AC, was 18th in the over 50s race.