MORE than 1,600 runners took to the St Helens streets on Sunday to take on the eighth annual St Helens 10k.

Among the North Road survivors was Ann-Marie Barrow, 35, widow of former rugby league player Tony Barrow, who took on the challenge with 66 others.

They ran in memory of her husband who died last year of a brain tumour. Charismatic Tony had run the event several times in the past – once dressed as a lion.

However, this year was Ann-Marie’s first without the former Oldham and Swinton player, from Thatto Heath.

Ann-Marie, 35, said: “We’ve been doing challenges over the past year in memory of Tony and raising money in his memory for people with brain tumours.

“This was our 12th challenge and it’s great to do it back in his home town, so to come back and run this event means a lot.

“I’d really like to thank everyone for all the support.”

Another person running in memory of her husband was Linzi Prescott, whose husband Steve Prescott started the event eight years ago in Birchley Street car park. Following his death in 2008, his family and the Steve Prescott Foundation, have kept the event going, which is now a staple of the St Helens calendar.

Proud Linzi, who this year ran with their son Taylor, who could join in the event now he has turned 16, said: “It’s quite a special event for me because eight years ago when Steven thought this up, it was the only thing he came up with that I thought I could take on.

“From Christmas you can see people running in the street and it always reminds me of Steve. It really is his legacy.”