A COUNCILLOR is pressing for a knighthood for legendary Hyde runner Ron Hill MBE.
Jim Fitzpatrick, who pushed for Ron to be made a freeman of the borough, believes his achievements and exploits of the 81-year-old ought to be further recognised.
Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “You will recall I mentioned last year that I had put it to the Labour group and it had been accepted that Ron became a freeman.
“I was really pleased that someone like Ron was accepted. I also think he deserves a knighthood, Sir Ron Hill has a ring to it.
“When I see the people who get this honour, I feel Ron is well deserving for what he has done for sport and his community.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving. If you agree, let’s start a campaign to get Ron a knighthood.”
A reception to celebrate Ron being awarded the freedom of the borough was held at Dukinfield Town Hall.
Following the formal proceedings at an extraordinary meeting of Tameside Council in December, this was a more relaxed event attended by family, friends and colleague with Ron presented with a silver armada dish by Cllr Brenda Warrington, executive leader of the council.
Three times Olympian Ron has become only the 13th person in the borough’s history to be made an honorary freeman.
The previous person to receive the award was Sir Geoff Hurst who scored a hat trick for England in the 1966 world cup final against Germany.
The honour was given in recognition of his lifetime of running achievements, including representing Great Britain in the Olympics, taking gold at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, and winning many of the world’s leading marathons.
He became the first British runner to win the Boston Marathon and his final marathon was the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996.
