ATHLETICS: Edwards ticks off marathon number 488 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Edwards races to Vet 45 category win in Lancaster

4:02pm Monday 25th June 2012 in Sport

STEVE EDWARDS, the Cotswolds’ endurance running king, has ticked off No. 488 as he bids to become the first person in the world to run 500 sub-3hr 30min marathons.

Not only did Steve from Moreton-in-Marsh comfortably beat his target time in the inaugural Lancaster Marathon, he won the Vet 45 age category and came home in tenth place overall out of more than 200 starters.

His final time for the tough single-lap road course around the Lancashire fells was 3hr 18min 11sec.

Edwards said: “That's 19 marathons so far this year, thankfully all of which have been inside 3:30.

“My overall total now stands at 488 sub-3:30s out of a grand total of 564 marathons.

“With just 12 to go, many might think the job is as good as done, but they couldn't be further from truth. I've never felt so nervous about reaching this lifetime goal.

“I'm just hoping and praying that I don't sustain another injury and setback as I have already missed five races this year.”

Edwards’ quest moves on to the relatively flat Boddington Marathon near Cheltenham on Sunday (July 1). He hopes to hit the 500 target around the time of his 50th birthday in November.