A 61-year-old man in England recently completed his 1,000th marathon, achieving a Guinness World Record with a total time of 3,363 hours. The man, named Steve Edwards, has been running marathons for the past 43 years, with each race completed in under 4 hours on average, totaling 3,363 hours, 4 minutes, and 2 seconds. This accomplishment sets a new world record for the shortest total time to complete 1,000 marathons.
Steve Edwards began his official marathon running journey in 1981 at the age of 18. Over the course of 1,000 marathons, he maintained an impressive average time of 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 47 seconds per race, each spanning a distance of 26.2 miles (about 42 kilometers).
Currently, there are only 51 individuals worldwide who have completed 1,000 marathons, with Steve Edwards standing out for his remarkable achievement. The average completion time for the other participants exceeds 4 hours, highlighting Edwards’ exceptional speed and endurance.
Over the past 36 years, Steve Edwards has been participating in a marathon approximately every 13 days. Reflecting on his milestone 1,000th race, he expressed that it symbolized the end of a 43-year journey in his life dedicated to running marathons.
During his journey, Steve Edwards encountered an injury to his hip while competing in his 996th race. Despite the pain, he pushed through to break the world record, emphasizing his determination and perseverance. Upon crossing the finish line, he felt the pain dissipate, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for the countless supporters who cheered him on.
Receiving the Guinness World Record certification on stage from the race director was a poignant moment for Edwards, acknowledging the unwavering support he received from his fans and the expansive marathon community.
Steve Edwards shared that his lifelong motto has been “Never underestimate your potential and pursue your dreams.” Reflecting on his experiences, he recalled being bullied due to a congenital deformity in his left hand since childhood, feeling excluded and marginalized. However, in the world of marathons, he found a sense of belonging and acceptance among thousands of fellow participants at the starting line.
Expressing his gratitude towards the entire marathon community and everyone who supported him, including his wife Teresa, Steve Edwards dedicated his recent race to raise funds for a charity organization. The initiative has successfully raised over £10,000 (approximately $12,474) to date.
Teresa praised her husband, stating, “He is amazing, and I am proud to call him my husband,” highlighting the love and admiration she holds for Steve Edwards and his incredible achievements in the realm of marathon running.