Cotswold marathon man edges closer to world record target

Steve Edwards, from Longborough near Moreton, ran eight marathons in the last 12 weeks, chipping away on his world record target.

Edwards’ has now completed 940 marathons and will be looking to run another 60 as he aims to complete 1000 official marathons in the fastest average finish time.

Edwards sets the pace at the Milton Keynes Marathon

In May, the 59-year-old ran 3hrs 45mins at the Milton Keynes Marathon as the official sub 3:45 pacer, 3hrs 39min at the Slough Jubilee River series race, 3hrs 37 min at the Worcester road marathon and 3hrs 39 min at the Kempton Park Marathon in Staines.

Moving into June, Edwards clocked 3hrs 38min at the 26 lap Littledown Marathon in Bournemouth and 3hrs 51min at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome series event, his slowest time of the year due to a hamstring injury.

More recently he ran a Saturn Series marathon along the Thames path from Egham in 3hrs 42min and another Slough Jubilee River series race in 3hrs 39min, the same time as he ran in May's event.   

"I'm about where I wanted to be at this stage of the year but recovery between races remains a real challenge especially in the recent warmer weather,” said Edwards.

“A hamstring issue caused me real problems at the Rickmansworth series event which reflected in a slower time, I don't seem to have much luck at that venue and at one point I was fearing my first ever DNF.

“But I somehow managed to keep going despite the pain.

“Overall though, I'm pleased with the progress, I've averaged 3hrs 39min for the 19 marathons run so far this year and if all goes to plan am still aiming to pass the 950 landmark before the end of the year.”

Edwards' average finish time for all 940 marathons currently stands at 3hrs 20min 10sec which means he's still on track to average well under 3hrs 30min which would make him the first person in the world to achieve the feat.

He is hopeful that he can achieve the world record some time in 2024.