TO the soundtrack of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes,’ a highlights reel plays film of the Godfather of the marathon world in action.

Homes videos show Steve Edwards in training, competing and eventually reaching the landmark of 500 sub-3hr 30min marathons. His friends and family embrace and congratulate him on such a magnificent achievement.

‘The Godfather’ is not a title he has dreamt up himself, for Steve Edwards of Bourton Roadrunners, is far too modest.

Such is his status as one of the world’s foremost marathon runners he has had the honour bestowed upon him by his fellow athletes, for good reason too.

His 500-marathon landmark was back in November 2012 when his family was expecting him to promptly retire.

“Sitting in the car on the way home, I said to my wife, ‘I think I’ve got a few more left in me’,” said Steve at the launch of his biography.

A few more he did have; Steve now sits on 726 sub-3hr 30min competitive marathons. It’s a truly remarkable achievement that has seen him break world records, travel the world and experience immense highs and lows.

Steve’s story began in Coventry in 1981 when he ran his first marathon.

He described how, despite an impressive 3:38.41 finishing time, it was an awful experience and he vowed never to run a marathon again.

About a week later he decided that he did enjoy the race but it was still another seven years before his obsession took off in earnest.

While reading through the 1988 edition of the Guinness Book of Records, Steve discovered the youngest man to have reached 500 marathons with the fastest average time and, realising it was an achievable target, he set off on a quest to claim that record for himself.

“I defined short, medium and long-term goals to take my mind off the bigger picture, knowing each marathon would get me a step closer to achieving the longer ambition,” he said.

Those goals included being the youngest person to run 100 and 200 marathons, the most marathons run in a single year (87) and the fastest 10 marathons in 10 consecutive days.

“Looking back, if I hadn’t run that first marathon perhaps I wouldn’t have become a runner,” said Steve.

“People ask me why all the time. One of the reasons really is enjoyment. But it is also about going to places I wouldn’t have perhaps gone to, meeting lots of people and making new friends and raising money for charity to help people less fortunate.”

Steve runs his marathons in aid of Kate’s Home Nursing, a charity based in Stow-on-the-Wold that his wife Teresa works for.

They offer palliative nursing care at home and it is the difficult stories that Steve has learnt of that inspires every one of his marathons.

With the London Marathon just gone and, as preparation is key to running a marathon, Steve has a few tips for people who are interested in participating next year.

“The first step is to join a club, most cater for beginners,” he said. “It’s all about beginning slowly, jogging for a bit and building up patiently.

“Incorporate cycling, swimming, gym and weight training to get your overall fitness improved so your body is fit to run, “Vary your training, I did a lot of weight training and martial arts so as not to get bored and become a slave to a schedule. Keep it varied and interesting.”

What are his favourite marathons. “There are too many to mention,” he insisted. Stockholm is where I ran my personal best (2:51.55) but you can’t beat the cityscapes of Chicago or New York City.

“In terms of exotic locations I have run, it would have to be the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromso, Norway.

“In the UK, though, Windermere is one of my favourites and so is Tresco on the Isles of Scilly, it’s just beautiful.”

Steve hopes to complete all the major city marathons and only needs to add Tokyo, Berlin and Boston.

“There are still a few on my bucket list” he said.

“My ultimate ambition is to get to 1,000 and hopefully I can retire then!”

Steve’s book, ‘The Man Inside The Machine,’ is available to purchase now from his author’s website, helensummer.co.uk He is hoping to reach 750 by the end of the year, his next marathon will be the Halstead Marathon on Sunday, May 8.

STEVE’S STATS

CURRENT WORLD RECORDS

March 2009: 400 marathons in fastest average finish time

May 2009: Fastest 10 marathons in 10 consecutive days in Male Vet 45 category – 33hr 16min (3:19 average)

March 2010: 500 marathons in fastest average finish time

September 2013: 600 marathons in fastest average finish time

March 2014: Fastest seven marathons in seven consecutive days in MV50 category – 23hr 34min (3:22 average)

October 2015: 700 marathons in fastest average finish time

OTHER LANDMARKS

Steve has run 27 sub-3hour marathons

His personal best is 2:51.55 in Stockholm – June 1, 1991

He has won 53 marathons.

He has raced in 100 marathons abroad in 34 different countries and 20 captial cities

He has raced in 60 UK counties including the Scilly Isles and the Outer Hebrides

Steve has run an official marathon on average every 14 days for the last 28 years – and has always finished