Gloucestershire man aiming for world record with 1,000 marathons

Steve Edwards has already completed 997 marathons

A man is aiming to set a new world record for running 1,000 marathons in the fastest ever average finish time.

Steve Edwards, 61, from Longborough in Gloucestershire, has already completed 997 marathons.

His 1,000th marathon will be in Milton Keynes on 6 May, and he has already raised £8,700 for a local charity.

"It's starting to hit me now that it's becoming the end of what has been a real, lifelong challenge," he said.

After running his first marathon in 1981 at the age of 18, Mr Edwards vowed to never do it again.

But after finding enjoyment in long distance running, he decided to carry on, in an attempt to raise money for different charities and to challenge himself further.

Steve Edwards ran his first marathon when he was 18-years-old

He originally planned to stop at 500 marathons in 2012, but kept going.

"Sometimes I regret the decision, but here we are," he said.

Ahead of his final challenge, Mr Edwards is raising money for North Gloucestershire-based Kate's Home Nursing, a palliative home nursing charity which he described as "incredibly special".

"None of us know what's around the corner and whether we'll need that kind of service in the future ourselves", he said.

Steve Edwards said he finds enjoyment in long distance running

Before competing for the final time in Milton Keynes, Mr Edwards will be participating in Southampton and London's upcoming marathons.

"There's nerves and there's excitement.

"There's also a sense of relief there because it's been really tough the last couple of years," he said.

Currently, Mr Edwards' average finish time stands at three hours and 21 mins.

Only 50 other people have completed 1,000 marathons, with the best average finish time recorded at more than four hours.

"I'm looking forward to a good rest and a break from it," he said.

"Then who knows what afterwards?"