STEVE EDWARDS has become the first person on the planet to run 600 official marathon races – all of them under three and a half hours.

Edwards, 52, completed the latest milestone in his extraordinary endurance running career, at the Port of Dover Marathon Festival, an event organised to raise funds for Brathay Trust.

The Bourton Roadrunners athlete, who lives in the Cotswolds town of Moreton-in-Marsh, battled against gale force winds and driving rain which meant he beat his target by just 65 seconds in a time of 3:28.55.

He finished the 12-lap course in second place, one of only two runners to break the 3.5-hour barrier.

Steve admitted: “That was so very close, I was never sure until the final 800 yards that I was going to do it today.

“That’s got to be one of the toughest races I’ve ever run in terms of the brutal conditions. It was a challenge to stay on my feet at times, the wind was ridiculous.

“The support I had in the closing mile from other runners on the return loop was fantastic and made me determined to make sure I didn’t let the weather win.

“Once the finishing clock was in site I put the hammer down and gave it everything.

“I’ll never forget that race again in a hurry that’s for sure.”

Not only did Steve become the first person to ever run 600 sub-3hr 30min marathons in official races but he also beat his own world record for running 600 marathons in the fastest average finish time, which now stands at an incredible 3:15.35.

He added: “I would like to thank my sponsors Mannatech, Team Nutrition and Sub Sports for their continued support.

“And none of this would be possible without the love and support from the important half of Team Edwards, my wife Teresa who accompanies me to all the races.”

Teresa said: “I felt really sorry for Steve watching him run in those conditions today.

“I don’t know how he does it but I’m extremely proud of what he’s achieved.”