‘A great honour’ - Monkton Stadium’s track is renamed after the legendary Steve Cram
Legendary athlete Steve Cram has been honoured at Monkton Stadium.
South Tyneside Council has honoured Steve Cram with the official unveiling of Monkton Stadium becoming the ‘home of the Steve Cram Track’.
Steve grew up training at the venue with the Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club, becoming the place where his talent was first nurtured before going on to be one of the world’s top middle-distance runners.
Known to many as the ‘Jarrow Arrow’, Steve’s career includes being crowned World 1500m Champion, winning the 1983 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and receiving both an MBE and later a CBE.
He also remains etched in sporting history by breaking three world records in the 1,500m, 2,000m and the mile within a 19-day period in 1985.
Steve’s family, friends and South Tyneside’s civic dignitaries gathered at Monkton Stadium on Monday morning (March 16) to surprise him at the new roadside welcome sign.
Speaking to the Shields Gazette, Steve expressed how honoured he was to have the track named after him and recalled how he has seen the stadium develop over the years.
He said: “I was lost for words - I wondered what was going on but I’m not very good at surprises so well done to everyone who managed to keep it a secret.
“I don’t know how I missed the clues, I even drove in and noticed that the sign was covered up.
“I’m genuinely moved by it and incredibly appreciative of it, it is a great honour.
“It’s a place that has been a massive part of my life from the original ground to the all-weather track, which was my first track to train on.
“Then we managed to get the track we have now before the stand was built so watching it grow and develop over the years, along with the success that I’ve had myself, is phenomenal.
“It’s a great honour to have it named after me in the sense that this is my home and let’s hope that one day we can maybe find one or two others who can follow in my footsteps.”
As well as a new welcome sign, exterior building signage and trackside storyboards recollecting Steve’s achievements have also been displayed at the stadium.
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