We’re delighted to announce that a steel statue of record-breaking athlete Steve Jones MBE, OLY and Freeman of Blaenau Gwent, will be officially unveiled by the man himself in his hometown of Ebbw Vale this September.
The Council is excited and honored to have worked with our partners and the running community in Blaenau Gwent to celebrate Steve’s incredible athletic career and to highlight his amazing achievements in a way to inspire our children and young people to always strive for the best they can be.
Visiting from his home in America, Steve is thrilled to be back in the valleys for this special occasion.
He says: “It’s always lovely to come home, but this time will be extra special. It is almost surreal that this happening, and the people of Blaenau Gwent are doing this for me. I already know it will be an incredible day”
We’d love for members of the public to join us in celebrating this momentous event and see a true legend in the flesh. Here are the details:
- Date: Friday, 12th September 2025.
- Time: 1pm
- Location: outside Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, Lime Avenue, NP23 6GL
The event will bring together Steve’s proud family and friends, local athletes, big names from the world of running, children and young people, Royal Air Force representatives and local dignitaries. There will also be a rousing performance from a traditional Welsh male voice choir, Beaufort Male Choir.
Honoring Steve’s achievements is a result of partnership working between the Council; Parc Bryn Bach Running Club and Aneurin Leisure Trust, supported by crowd funding and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Steve’s victory at the Chicago Marathon, a triumph that captivated the world and solidified his place in athletic history by setting a world record. His full list of running achievements is impressive and can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jones_(runner)
Read more about us awarding Steve the Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent here: https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/news/record-breaking-athlete-steve-jones-mbe-oly-receives-freedom-of-the-borough/
Please join us for this once in a lifetime event!