OVER 100 runners took part in the Bryn Bach Parkrun on Saturday in honour of an Ebbw Vale marathon runner who has held a British record for 30 years.

On October 21, Steve Jones will celebrate having held the British marathon record for the last 30 years.

Organiser of the run, Lee Aherne, explained that on that day, Mr Jones shocked the world by beating Olympic champion Carlos Lopez and world champion Rob de Castella to not only win the Chicago marathon but break the world record in a time of 2:08:05.

Just a year later he won the London marathon and won the Chicago marathon again to bring the British record down to 2:07:13.

Mr Aherne, 48, said: “Steve did that while serving in the RAF while a member of Newport Harriers running club and also won the New York marathon and came second in Boston. “Steve holds the four fastest British times and not even Mo Farah could break it this year in London.”

He explained that Mr Jones has never been honoured nationally and except for receiving the key to Ebbw Vale in 1984, Mr Aherne said “he has been ignored by the borough of Blaenau Gwent even though there have been campaigns”.

Mr Aherne organised the 5k parkrun in recognition of Mr Jones’ achievements and over 100 runners turned out to take part.

Newport Harriers member Matthew Edmonds was first over the line in 16:11, closely followed by Mr Aherne who came second in 16:43.

Owen Locke, Stephen Locke and Rhian Loudon, all of Newport Harriers also ran.

Mr Jones, 59, now resides in Colorado but continues to support athletes and is the Cardiff Half Marathon ambassador.

His two sisters, Kathleen Jervis and Christine Hopes were at Saturday’s run to represent him.