WELSH athletics legend Steve Jones says the success of the Cardiff Half Marathon is a big boost for the sport throughout the region, writes Andrew Penman.

Ebbw Vale-born Jones, who broke the marathon world record in Chicago in 1984 and won bronze for Wales in the 10,000m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, now lives and coaches in Colorado.

But the 60-year-old, who still holds the British marathon record, is back home this week as an official ambassador of Sunday’s Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon.

And he has some words of comfort for organisers of the Newport Half Marathon.

St David's Hospice Care was left red faced when it was confirmed that their race, on March 1 this year, was 636m shorter than it should have been.

“It is just teething problems,” said Jones. “These things happen – it happened in Cardiff five years ago – and they’ll get over that I’m sure.

“The Cardiff Half Marathon is growing every year and with the world championships coming to the capital next year it is great for the city and the region.

“Newport has started with the half marathon and Swansea as well and it’s great to see people getting involved in running in South Wales.”

Cardiff hosts the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships on March 26 next year, when it is hoped that Mo Farah will compete ahead of the Rio Olympics.

“That would be the icing on the cake,” said Jones.

“For Mo to be there would put us on the map even more.

“It is going to be a huge event without Mo but even better if he is there.

“I don’t see why Mo can’t run here.”

Jones is certain that Farah will one day break his British marathon record of 2hrs 07min 13sec, despite the London 2012 hero trying and failing at last year’s London Marathon.

“If Mo attempts it again I’m sure he will break it,” he said. “But if he doesn’t then I can’t see anyone getting near it for a few years yet, hopefully it will be another Welshman when it does go.”

Jones says he has sympathy for Farah and Paula Radcliffe, who have both seen their names dragged into the doping debate this year.

“I do feel for them and I have no doubt that they are clean but there is too much secrecy,” he added.

“The way forward is for everything to be open and then there can be no doubts.”