“I FEEL very proud knowing that Stephen and his legacy have been instrumental in getting the people of this town active.”

Those are the words of Linzi Prescott ahead of the eighth annual GPW Recruitment St Helens 10K – which will see a record breaking 2,300 runners pound the St Helens streets on Sunday.

She also revealed that her son Taylor, will be following in his dad Steve Prescott’s footsteps for the first time this year by taking part now he has turned 16.

Linzi said: “This will be my eighth St Helens 10K, having completed it every year since its inception, although I will not be breaking any personal bests this year due to a back injury.

“It is fantastic to see how far it has come since the inaugural race in 2011, which started in Birchley Street car park, with 689 runners. Now, thanks to Saints for allowing it to start and finish at the Totally Wicked Stadium and with the support of the community, it has become a very successfully event in the SPF calendar.

“The race on Sunday will be the biggest to date with more than 2,300 runners, which in turn helps many other charities.

“It has been heart-warming for me to see the volume of runners, of all levels, pounding the streets since Christmas and I feel very proud knowing that Stephen and his legacy have been instrumental in getting the people of this town active.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody the best of luck, to encourage supporters on the course and in the stadium and I hope everybody has a great day.

“Let’s pray for good weather.”