Steve Jones . . . Man of Steel, Immortalised in Ebbw Vale

Steve Jones won many honours during his world record-breaking athletics career, but none could have topped unveiling a statue of himself that now stands proudly in his home town of Ebbw Vale.

The man who dominated the marathon on a global stage in the mid-1980s - winning in Chicago twice and in London - was made a Freeman of the county borough of Blaenau Gwent earlier in the year and has now become the first person in Ebbw Vale to have a statue dedicated to him.

They came from far and wide to join in the special celebration, with many of Jones’ old foes and international teammates congregating to congratulate him on his latest achievement.

There was an impromptu reunion of five of the 1984 British Olympic team as Jones was joined by Tim Hutchings, Geoff Smith, Steve Barry and Nick Rose.

Steve Binns joined in the celebration, along with Dave Bedford, and a host of Jones’ former Newport Harriers and Welsh teammates – Dale Rixon, Ieuan Ellis, Kenny Davies, Nigel Adams, Adrian Brown, as well as his old coach, Mike Rowland.  

Dewi Griffiths - the man who beat his record of nine Welsh cross country titles and who benefitted from some advice from the great man - was also in the crowd.

They all heard one of Jones’ earliest friends, Kelvin Smith, read a poem he wrote for the event entitled, ‘Because you are Our Legend’.

It was an occasion, complete with the Welsh national anthem sung by the Beaufort Male Voice Choir, that left Jones, who has lived in Boulder, Colorado, for the past 35 years, truly humbled.

“It is a huge honour for me to be remembered in this way in a town that has always meant so much to me. It’s been an incredible day,” said Jones, who turned 70 earlier in the year.

“When the statue project was first raised, I wasn’t sure whether or not it would happen. But now I’m here standing beside it, it is almost surreal.

“It’s always lovely to come home, but this time was extra special. I can’t believe the people of Blaenau Gwent are doing this for me – and all because I did a bit of running.”

Steve Jones speaks to guests at the unveiling. . Pic: Jo Edington Photography

The statue has been seven years in the planning from the day Lee Aherne, Chair of Parc Bryn Bach running club, first put the idea to the local council. 

Eventually, with help from Cllr Sue Edmunds, the dream became a reality and the statue now stands proudly outside the entrance to the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.

The Covid pandemic initially slowed things down, but the partnership between Blaenau Gwent Council, Parc Bryn Bach Running Club, and the Aneurin Leisure Trust, with support from crowdfunding and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, eventually culminated in yesterday’s great occasion.

“Steve is a Welsh sporting icon and deserves every accolade that comes his way. I hope this statue will inspire future generations to take up running and hopefully help my club, Parc Bryn Bach, to become the best in Wales,” said Aherne.

School children joined former athletes who came from far and wide to honour Steve Jones. Pic: Jo Edington Photography

Jones first launched his running career while a cadet in the Air Training Corps in Ebbw Vale when he was 16. 

From those first steps taken in a cross country race was born one of the greatest sporting careers of any Welsh athlete.

Already included on the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame’s ‘Roll of Honour’, an inductee of the Colorado and New York Running Halls of Fame, the Boulder Sports Hall of Fame, he is also a former winner of the Welsh Sports Personality of the Year award.

Jones is now frozen in time in his home town, crossing the finishing line at the 1984 Chicago Marathon in the fastest time the world had ever seen – 2:08.05.

He would go even faster a year later, 2:07.134, in getting to within one second of the latest world record set by Portugal’s Carlos Lopes, and he also broke the world half-marathon record. 

That 1985 marathon time stood as the British record for an incredible 33 years - until Mo Farah lowered it to 2:06.21.

“Steve is a true legend whose story captures the very soul of Blaenau Gwent. From the streets of Ebbw Vale to the global stage, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Cllr Edmunds.

“His humility, even in the face of world-record-breaking success, speaks volumes about the strength of his character. 

Steve isn’t just a running icon - he’s one of us.

“His achievements continue to inspire generations, proving that with grit, passion, and perseverance, greatness is within reach. 

“His statue will stand as a powerful symbol of what’s possible and remind us that ambition, resilience, and belief in yourself can take you anywhere.”

Former London Marathon chief Bedford said: “Every race director in the world wanted Steve Jones in their marathon field and we were delighted when he came to London in 1985 and had a great battle with Charlie Spedding. 

“His winning time was a course record that stood until 1997.

“I’m just so delighted he is being honoured in this way in his home town. He was a world class athlete who was not only very well loved and respected in his local community, but by athletes across the world.

“Steve was a great runner in his day but just think how much better he might have become in the modern era with all the new developments in shoe technology and training methods. 

“He is one of the few people who has lasted the course in terms of gaining the respect of new generations of athletes.”

Jones was the first of only two Welsh athletes who have held an official IAAF world record – Colin Jackson is the other in the 110m hurdles – and ranks alongside the likes of Olympic gold medalist Lynn Davies, Jackson, and world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene as the greatest Welsh athletes of all-time.

Lynn Davies, the former Olympic gold medalist and current president of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, said: “To me, he has always been the boy from Ebbw Vale who never forgot where he came from and was so fiercely proud of his heritage. 

“Athletics provided him with an opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands, proving the power of sport can elevate anyone, from any background and any job to become world class and world renowned.

“His achievements in the sport are remarkable and it’s always great to see an athlete from Wales perform to such a high level on the world stage. 

“He always ensured the Welsh dragon flew high and proud wherever he went around the world.

“His career remains an inspiration to the sportsmen and women in Wales and throughout the UK. His dedication to both his job in the RAF and his athletics training are shining examples of what can be achieved with discipline, determination and desire.

“Steve is a Welsh sporting great, but the statue in his home town of Ebbw Vale will forever more remind people he is also very much a local hero.”