Marathon man Steve Edwards is closing in on yet another remarkable achievement.

The endurance athlete is seeking to become the first person ever to run 1,000 official marathon races in an average finish time of under three hours 30 minutes.

And having kicked off the first two months of 2022 with another four marathons, his overall total now stands at 925.

In January, the 59-year-old ran three hours 38 minutes at the Hayes track marathon and finished in exactly the same time a fortnight later at the Staines Thames path marathon.

Then in February he ran three hours 35 minutes at the Shrewsbury track marathon and three hours 40 minutes at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome marathon.

Edwards, from Longborough near Moreton-in-Marsh, is slowly but surely counting down to what would be a monumental achievement in the marathon running world.

Speaking after his first four races of the year Edwards said: “I’ve been managing various injury niggles for the last 12 months which along with the Covid lockdowns has really hampered my progress over the last couple of years.

“So, this year, I’m really hoping to pick up the momentum again to try and get past 950 which will be another huge landmark for me not least from a psychological aspect.

“It’s also my 60th birthday later this year which was originally when I wanted to achieve this record but hopefully with no more setbacks, I could reach it before I’m 62, good health and fitness permitting of course.”

Edwards’ marathon running career now spans 42 years and he has averaged an official marathon race every 13 days for the last 34 of those.

He still holds the British record for the most sub three hour 15 minute marathons with a total of 325 and the world record for the most sub three hour 30 minute marathons with a total of 801.

His current average finish time for 925 marathons stands at three hours 19 minutes and 50 seconds, so he is well on course to smash the sub three hour 30 minute average.

Steve is fundraising for Kate’s Home Nursing charity. You can donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/teamedwards1000