ACCRINGTON running legend Ron Hill celebrated a huge achievement in clocking up 150,000 miles at Stanley on Saturday.

The 69-year-old, who now lives in Hyde, did a lap of the Reds’ pitch ahead of their clash with Shrewsbury to reach the milestone, after logging all his miles since 1956.

"It is fantastic," said Hill, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the marathon in Edinburgh in 1970.

"I wanted to come home and I have had a great reception. I was just pleased people turned up."

Former Accrington Grammar School pupil Hill was eager to return to his roots to mark the 150,000 miles.

The first entry in his notebook was a run from Oswaldtwistle 51 years ago and he returned to his home town on Saturday, leaving the Crown pub before the match to run three miles.

Hill, who has run everyday for 43 years, had runners with him from his own club Clayton-le-Moor Harriers, along with Accrington Road Runners and Blackburn Harriers.

"I used to watch Stanley as a lad when they played at Peel Park so it was nice to watch them again - even if they did lose," said Ron who is regarded as one of Britain’s great distance runners.

Ron’s golden years were in the late 1960s/early 70s where he took part in three Olympics, won a gold medal in the European Championships in Athens and became the first Britain to win the Boston Marathon.

He is currently aiming to race in 100 countries by the time he is 70 next September - he has now done 98.

"And my next achievement is to do 250,000km. I like to keep setting myself targets," he added.