500 Sub 3:30 Marathons Challenge
Current Statistics as of November 20th 2011
Total Marathons 544. Average Time 3:18.
468 Sub 3:30s. 321 Sub 3:20s. 236 Sub 3:15s. 133 Sub 3:10s.
2011 Summary (So far) - Recorded 300th sub 3:20 marathon and 450th sub 3:30 marathon.
2010 Summary - Reached the 500 marathon landmark. Completed a 4th consecutive Brathay 10 in 10 in 35hrs 6min.
2009 Summary - Recorded 200th Sub 3:15 marathon. Completed a 3rd consecutive Brathay 10 in 10 in 33hrs 16min.
The Story
In 1988, a young man by the name of Steve Edwards had a dream to become the first person in the world to run 500 official sub 3hr 30min marathon races. Now 49 years old, the athlete who represents Bourton Roadrunners in Gloucestershire and the 100 Marathon Club is slowly closing in on that dream having run 468 sub 3:30s out of a total of 544 completed marathons. His challenge has already taken him to 27 countries not to mention the length and breadth of the British Isles, from the Isles of Scilly to the Outer Hebrides, over 60 counties all told. If successful, Steve will improve on his existing record for the 'Fastest 500 marathons ever run by an individual athlete' where his average finish time is currently 3hrs 18min.
From the very start, Steve had always intended to try and finalise this lifetime challenge in his 50th birthday year, 2012. With the announcement back in 2005 that London would be hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it makes it the perfect time. "You get one shot in life at something this huge" says Steve. "I'm not getting any younger, but injuries permitting, I intend to give it my all for a 2012 completion. If I can achieve 500 sub 3:30s with as many as possible around the 3:15 mark, it will also mean an overall faster average finish time. Hopefully the record could then stand for many years!"
Although marathon running has been rewarding in terms of personal achievement, for Steve the greater reward has come from being able to put something back. Over the years, his achievements as a non elite athlete have inspired others to go out and challenge themselves as he shows that with belief, hard work and dedication, that ordinary people can achieve their dreams and accomplish extraordinary things. Moreover, in supporting and competing in marathon races not only has this helped contribute to the grass roots of sport, but with his fundraising has also benefited many charities. He is therefore keen to dedicate his lifetime 500 sub 3:30s challenge to a charity that over the last few years has become very close to his heart, "The Brathay Trust".
Steve's involement with Brathay started during the inaugral Brathay 10 Marathons In 10 Days event in 2007. "I realised not only what an inspirational place it was but also the importance of their work. I hope that my story will raise awareness and donations for the work that Brathay do in helping disadvantaged children and young people from all over the UK overcome extreme difficulties arise from their very poor personal and social circumstances".
Steve did in fact complete the first four annual Brathay 10in10 events, one of which he established an official Guinness World Record. For those who are not aware of this event, it involves running the Windermere Marathon 10 times in 10 consecutive days, each day running the same 26.2 mile route which follows a complete lap of Windermere, England's largest lake. It's certainly an extreme test of mental strength as it is physical endurance.
So let's pause for a moment and reflect on what this lifetime challenge will have entailed. On top of holding down a full time job, you train every day, sometimes twice a day, every week, every month, every year. Keeping yourself at the peak of physical fitness such that you're able to run a 26.2 mile race on average every 16 days for 25 years in an average finish time of around 3hrs 15min! Consider the discipline and commitment required, indeed consider the short recovery time between marathon races and the opportunities for injury and illness over such a long period of one's life. Little wonder that no-body so far has managed to accomplish such a feat.
In Olympic year, 2012, a virtually unknown athlete could become the first person ever to complete 500 sub 3:30 marathons, not only a fantastic personal achievement but one might say a truly unique personal Olympic legacy. What was once a young man's dream may become reality. With your help and support, this dream could also help realise another dream.
"Established in 1946, Brathay's vision is of a society where all children and young people have access to formal and informal education to enable them to fulfil their potential".
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To follow Steve's progress, you can follow him on Twitter. He has also been selected as one of the BT storytellers for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. See links below.
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www.twitter.com/teamedwards500
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