On Monday, May 6th , at the renowned Milton Keynes marathon, Cotswold athlete Steve Edwards achieved a new Guinness World Records™ title for the fastest aggregate time to run 1000 marathons.
The 61-year-old from Longborough near Moreton in Marsh was accompanied the whole way around by good friend Dennis Walmsley from Bourton on the Water, himself a renowned marathon runner back in the day.
Battling a painful hip injury that he sustained after his 996th marathon, Edwards crossed the finish line to the excitement and jubilation of family, neighbours, friends and the whole UK marathon running community who came along to witness what many consider to be the ultimate multi marathon world record ever achieved.
Commenting after the race, Edwards said, ‘Today was the finale to what has been an incredible 43-year journey, an end of an era for Team Edwards, and we can’t quite believe that it’s now all over. I don’t mind admitting that it’s been extremely difficult in recent years, with wear and tear and injury all taking their toll.
There are so many people I would like to thank, friends, supporters and all my sponsors but the biggest thank you goes to the better half of Team Edwards, my lovely wife Teresa, none of this would have been possible without her dedicated & loving support,
Steve’s marathon journey has not only been a personal triumph but also a platform to raise funds and awareness for Kate’s Home Nursing, a palliative nursing care charity close to their hearts in North Gloucestershire. The charity holds a special place for the Edwards family, as Teresa was a valued member of their nursing team for many years.
A few stats
1000 Official Marathon Races from 1981 – 2024.
325 Sub 3:15s, 500 sub 3:20s, 801 sub 3:30s & 1000 sub 4,00s
A marathon on average every 13 days for the last 36 years.
First 500 marathons – 22 years – aged 25-45
Average finish time – 3hrs 18min.
Second 500 marathons – 14 years – aged 45 – 61
Average finish time – 3hrs 24min.
Total Average Finish Time for all 1000 marathons – 3hrs 21min 47sec