MARATHON man Steve Edwards is on the cusp of breaking a new World Record.

After running his first marathon at the tender age of 18 in 1981 and vowing never again, Steve has gone on to run 997 official marathon races in an average finish time of 3hrs 21min 40sec for each which makes him one of the most successful multi marathon runners in the world.

Known by many in the UK running community as “The Godfather”, Steve, 61 and from the Cotswolds, has accomplished several world records & landmark achievements and is now on the cusp of achieving what many are calling the ultimate multi marathon Guinness world record, 1000 official marathons in the fastest average finish time.

Although his marathon running journey started in 1981, it wasn’t until a few years later in 1988 that he started running multiple marathons. Since then, he’s averaged a marathon every 13 days for the last 35 years and his total includes 325 sub 3hrs 15min, 500 sub 3hrs 20min and 801 sub 3hrs 30min finishes.

He had hoped to achieve this monumental goal in 2022 just before his 60th birthday, but Covid restrictions put paid to that and trying to regain the momentum following this testing period proved to be a massive hurdle.

Thankfully, the will power was just about strong enough to re-ignite the challenge, although, maintaining that will power has at times been extremely tough.

Now in his 62nd year and slowing down with age and wear & tear from the sheer number of miles that his body has endured from both training & racing, he hopes to achieve the goal in May 2024 at the hugely renowned Milton Keynes Marathon with an estimated average finish time of around 3hrs 21min 45sec.

Steve's efforts will generate a lasting legacy known as the ‘Team Edwards Lifetime Achiever Award’ which will be presented each year to the most deserved person taking part in the Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend.

Steve and his wife Teresa, a retired nurse, raise money for Kate's Home Nursing - a charity based in North Gloucestershire who provide palliative nursing care to terminally ill/end of life patients in their own homes.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/teamedwards1000