A MORETON man is on a quest to hold the world record for the first person to run 500 marathons.

IT manager Steve Edwards, 44, ran the Flora London Marathon on Sunday bringing him up to a total of 434 marathons.

His aim is to have run 500 marathons all with a finishing time of less than three and a half hours by the London Marathon in 2012.

He hopes the world record bid will also coincide with his 50th birthday celebrations.

He estimates that he will have run about 38,000 miles since he began his world record challenge and spent over £15,000.

Steve, who started running in 1981, said: "To put it in context, the challenge of running 500 marathons equates to running a marathon every 18 days for 24 years.

"I'll be very proud when I achieve my goal, but I enjoy it too much to hang up my running shoes for good - although I may have a short rest before I carry on."

Steve is not a newcomer to setting world records. In 1992 he ran the most marathons ever in a one year, a total of 87, which smashed the previous recognised record of 74 marathons.

He has five years and 66 marathons to go before he completes his challenge.

Steve ran the London Marathon this year in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA).

He has helped to raise thousands of pounds for the charity which will be the official charity of the 2008 Flora London Marathon.