FORMER Commonwealth and European marathon champion Ron Hill was the guest of honour at a reunion of former athletes held in Rainhill.

The ex-services club on Warrington Road by Brian Renshall, who ran for Sutton Harriers and Liverpool Pembroke Harriers and Mike Dooling who formerly ran for Liverpool Harriers, both of whom live in Rainhill.

The event was hailed "a great success" with 50 to 60 people from as far as South Shields and Bedford, Yorkshire, Manchester attending along with many from Merseyside.

Guest of honour was former Commonwealth and European marathon winner Ron Hill, whose other achievements include featuring in three Olympic Games from 1964 to 1972, two English Cross Country Championships wins, and being winner of the Boston Marathon, the only British runner to win it.

He also ran the world best time for 20 miles and world records at 10 miles,15 miles and 25 kilometres.

Ron was given a standing ovation at the end of the event at the ex-services club and he also took part in a question and answer session along with other ex-international athletes including local man Steve Anders.

A video of Ron's glittering career was also shown.

Organiser Brian said: "As you would expect there was much reminiscing among friends and former rivals and the whole event was topped off by a lovely buffet."