Gloucestershire's marathon machine is still on target
Steve Edwards aims to run 1,000 marathons in an average of 3:30:00
The 'Man Inside The Machine' is steadily closing on his ultimate goal to complete 1,000 marathons (yes, you read that right, a thousand marathons) in the fastest average time by running an official 26.2-mile race every 13 days in an overall average of sub 3:30:00.
Steve Edwards (59) had hoped to achieve this target by his 60th birthday but Covid-19 restrictions and a few injuries knocked him slightly off course – the revised target is now by his 62nd birthday, which should be some party!
We featured Steve's 900th marathon milestone in runABC South on 27th February 2020 and he is now up to marathon number 928, completed in 3:37:04 at the Running Miles Decades Dash at Jubilee Riverside Centre, Slough yesterday (17th March) for his 74th marathon victory.
Steve's three previous marathons were the Enigma Running Weak At The Knees event at Caldecotte Lake, Milton Keynes on 11th March (3:41:00); Oulton Park on 6th March (3:38:55) and Rickmansworth on 24th February (3:40:45) – where he finished third overall. After 928 completed marathons, his average time is running at 3:19:53 – well inside his 3:30:00 target.
This indomitable man's stats are mind-boggling. The North Cotswold Tri & Run member has already run the world's fastest average time for 500 marathons (3:12:07); 600 marathons (3:13:46); 700 marathons (3:15:25); 800 marathons (3:17:03) and 900 marathons (3:19:05).
Steve makes it abundantly clear that his quest is very much a team effort, with his wife Teresa supporting him every step of the way, and he can be found on social media as TeamEdwards.
The couple travel from their home just outside Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire to compete and Teresa is an expert in ensuring Steve's hydration and fuelling are at optimal levels. Steve also gives thanks to his sponsors Mannatech, 361°, Cirencester Sports Massage, Fisiocrem UK, and VOOM Nutrition for their invaluable support.
As well as making endurance running history, Steve is raising funds for Kate's Home Nursing, a Gloucestershire charity providing home-based palliative care for terminally ill patients, and his Just Giving page is here for your donations.
Keep up with Steve Edwards (if you can) on Twitter here or on Facebook here
Good luck to TeamEdwards from all at runABC
Image courtesy TeamEdwards on Twitter
