STEVE JONES RETURNING TO CARDIFF FOR SECOND BUPA GREAT WALES RUN
Steve Jones, still the British marathon record holder after running a time of two hours seven minutes 13seconds almost a quarter of a century ago, is returning to compete in the second Bupa Great Wales Run on July 27.
Jones, a former world record holder based in the United States is no longer a competitive runner but is eager as he did 12 months ago, to contest the scenic 10 kilometres race around Cardiff Bay.
Last year the 53-year-old ran as a celebrity along with many big names from the world of entertainment and god-daughter Shelley Brace, whose father was also a world class Welsh marathon runner.
The marathon legend was on of thousands of leisure entrants who enjoyed the exalted company which also included Enzo Maccarinelli who had recently defended his WBO world cruiserweight title for a third time.
The nation's greatest-ever Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey- Thompson, also returned to her home city to support what she described as a brilliant event.
"Steve is delighted to be returning from his Colorado home and once again see first hand, the massive developments which have taken place in the Principality and of course many the many landmarks are on the course," said David Hart, communications director for the event.
Hart added: "He had a phenomenal record when competing and is still active organising and taking part at training camps in Boulder where he lives." Jones ran his first competitive marathon in Chicago in 1984 breaking the world record of the Australian, Robert de Castella with a time of 2hr 8min 05sec.
The following spring he went on to clinch the London Marathon title before returning to Chicago in October of that year where he set his awesome long standing British record.
Then showing his versatility he took the bronze medal over 10,000m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and was the first Welsh athlete to appear on the cover of the prestigious athletics magazine Running Times. Hart said: “Steve also won the New York and Toronto marathons and of course finished second in our flagship event the Great North Run in 1986. “We’re delighted to see him once again giving his support to the Bupa Great Wales Run. I'm sure a great reception awaits him."
Over 2,000 entries have been received to date for the second staging of the event, which starts and finishes in the Cardiff Bay area and will have the benefit of a fast and flat course. Entries are available at www.greatrun.org
For tips on training, running, exercise and general health information visit www.bupa.com and www.bupa.co.uk/running.
