RENFREWSHIRE runner Callum Hawkins returned to action at the Valencia Half-Marathon last weekend as he clocked a time of 1:01:00 to finish in 16th place - a time which propels him up to second on the British rankings list for 2018.

The 26-year-old is looking to bounce back after the Commonwealth Games setback earlier this year and looked close to his best as he ran the third-quickest half-marathon of his career to finish inside the top 20 - the highest placing European.

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“Things are on the up. 61:00 today in the Valencia half,” said Hawkins post-race on Instagram. “Not exactly what I wanted from the race but the legs are almost back.”

And the Kilbarchan Athletics Club star is set to follow that appearance by making his welcome return to full marathon distance at the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan on Sunday, December 2.

Hawkins has been out of competitive action since April when he was on course for victory at the Commonwealth Games marathon on the Gold Coast, leading the race before, overcome by the heat, he collapsed having completed 40km of the 42km course.

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But he is set to make his long-awaited comeback next month in a field packed with elite runners after confirming his decision via Twitter. 

He Tweeted: “Finally I can officially announce that I will be running Fukuoka marathon on the 2nd of Dec. Can’t wait to return to Japan and hopefully set another PB there.”