On Monday May 6, 2024, at the renowned Milton Keynes marathon, 361° ambassador Steve Edwards completed his 1,000th marathon.
By doing so he achieved a new Guinness World Records title for the fastest aggregate time to run 1,000 marathons.
The 61 year old Edwards from Longborough was accompanied the whole way round by his good friend Dennis Walmsley, himself a renowned marathon runner back in the day. Battling a painful hip injury that he sustained after his 996th marathon, Edwards crossed the finish line to the excitement and jubilation of family, neighbours, friends and the whole UK marathon running community who came along to witness what many consider to be the ultimate multi marathon world record ever achieved.
Commenting after the race, Edwards said: “Today was the finale to what has been an incredible 43 year journey, an end of an era for Team Edwards and we can’t quite believe that it’s now all over. I don’t mind admitting that it’s been extremely difficult in recent years with wear & tear and injury all taking it’s toll. There are so many people I would like to thank, friends, supporters and all my sponsors but the biggest thank you goes to the better half of Team Edwards, my lovely wife Teresa, none of this would have been possible without her dedicated & loving support.”
For the last 5 years, Steve has been supported by global performance brand 361°, who have provided the running shoes to carry Steve on the last leg of his journey. On his 1,000th marathon in Milton Keynes, Steve wore the brands’ renowned and award-winning CENTAURI.
The 361° brand DNA is all about the desire to go ONE DEGREE BEYOND. Steve said: “My motto has always been, ‘Never Underestimate Your Potential, Follow Your Dreams’. One Degree Beyond in my opinion means we are capable of achieving more than we can possibly imagine.”
Personal achievement aside, Steve has also used his marathon running journey to help raise money and awareness for Kate’s Home Nursing, a palliative nursing care charity near to where they live in North Gloucestershire. For many years, Teresa was part of their incredible nursing team hence the connection to the charity.
1,000 MARATHONS IN NUMBERS:
- All 1000: 3hrs 21min 47sec
- All-time PB: 2hrs 51min 55sec
- First 500 marathons – 22 years – aged 25-45. Average finish time – 3hrs
- Second 500 marathons – 14 years – aged 45 – Average finish time – 3hrs 24min.
- 26,200 Marathon Race Miles
- An official competitive marathon race every 13 days for the last 36 No DNFs.