HE kept his Warrington half marathon title for 21 years but now the town's final half marathon winner in the 80s will be cheering on future running stars from the lead car.

Derek Vernon, who won the town's last half marathon in 1988 before a lengthy hiatus for the 13-mile race, said he is delighted to be involved in the English Half Marathon again this weekend.

The 54-year-old, from Howley, said: "I was asked to start the race when it returned in 2009 but it's a massive honour to be in the lead car this year.

"I didn't think the race would come back after 21 years but it's great to see it getting stronger every year with more and more people entering."

The Warrington Borough Council employee, who works with children with severe disabilities, completed the course in one hour seven minutes and 44 seconds and said he had a good feeling he would be adding to his eight previous consecutive road race titles when he was lining up on the start line.

He joked however people laugh now when they see the trainers he won the race in as they are so flimsy compared to modern day trainers.

The former boxer, who still completes 500 sit ups four times a week, added: "There was a big crowd watching it but sometimes you just know you're going to win it.

"It's different times now as the trainers are better and we didn't have gels, there was just a cup of water when you're going around but it's all for the good of the sport.

"I love seeing people do well and the great thing about running is everyone is running their own particular race and will be over the moon when they beat their personal best."

Derek, who says sporty habits run in the family as his brother Glenn won the Liverpool 10K and son Craig finished 25th in the Liverpool Half Marathon and is training for his first boxing match, advises runners on Sunday to run at their own pace.