A marathon of a challenge
500 marathons, not a single “Did Not Finish”, and an average time of just under 3:20. Sounds improbable, right? Think again – spikesmag.com caught up with Brit Steve Edwards, who is on course to complete the challenge by 2012.
How did running marathons come about for you?
SE: I was more of a 200m and 400m runner at school. Back then I would always be the one hiding behind the bushes during cross-country. It was only when a friend asked me if I fancied doing the Coventry Marathon in 1981 – in the city I was born and raised – did I first give it a go. I only trained for five or six weeks and ran 3:38. It felt really easy up until 16 miles but a mile or two later my legs seized up and I got that horrible feeling of hitting the wall. I struggled to the end and realised how good it felt to complete such a distance.
So what happened next?
SE: I started to run shorter races for a club but was always drawn to the marathons, they just felt better for me. I trained hard and got my PB down to just under three hours.
I realised that I was never going to make it internationally. I had to decide between being a very good club runner and going in another direction. It was in 1988 I decided to move into the numbers game; I wanted to record some respectable times and break some records in terms of the numbers of marathons I’ve competed in.
What records did you break?
SE: The first goal was to become the youngest person to run 100 marathons, which I achieved in 1990 (aged 28). My next aim was to beat the record of 74 marathons in one year and between March 1991 and March 1992 I ran 87, running back-to-back marathons most weekends.
What the toughest part about breaking the record?
SE: The worst part was in July 1991 when I ran the Davos Mountain Marathon. As I was going over the mountain climb I heard a crack and instantly knew I’d broken a bone in my foot. I was about ten miles from the finish but hobbled to the end. I was told I had to rest it for at least three to four weeks. I didn’t rest it and ran one marathon a week rather than two a week. The injury did heal, although running a marathon on it was pretty hard work because I was compensating badly on the other leg.
How did your quest to run 500 marathons by 2012 come about?
SE: I set the goal of 500 because at the time 500 was the (approximately) most ever done by one person. I set 2012 because that will be my 50th year (currently aged 46). People have run a lot more marathons than I have but their average time is not as fast as mine. My average is 3:17 and my target is to run 500 marathons in an average of under 3:20. I’m now in sight of my goal because I’ve done 469 marathons.
What does your family think of your evangelical pursuit of the marathon?
SE: My wife, Theresa, is incredibly supportive. It was quite cute because many years ago I got her into running and she now trains four of five times a week and has run three half-marathons now. I have a grown up son, Jason, but he is not really too interested in running.
How much has running cost you over the years?
SE: It must be tens of thousands of pounds. I’ve always worked as a full-time IT manager but I don’t spend a lot on other interests and now with the cheaper flights it’s a lot easier.
What is the hardest part of running so many marathons?
SE: Injuries are the big worry. But I do core strength training to avoid injuries. I do a lot of pilates, work on my back, glutes, one-leg squats and a lot of all-round body conditioning. Core strength training is crucial for endurance runners.
Why do you enjoy running so many marathons?
SE: It is very rewarding in terms of what I’ve achieved and it is a great way of keeping supremely fit. It is also a great other side to my life, because I have a relatively sedentary lifestyle for most of the day working in IT.
Quick-fire Five:
Hardest Marathon to date?
SE: That Davos Mountain marathon, when I broke a bone in my foot.
Favourite marathon?
SE: The Windermere Marathon, I have raced that marathon around 30 times now. It’s a special marathon and a very scenic course.
Is there a marathon you would like to do that you haven’t done yet?
SE: I’d like to do Boston – a race of huge tradition
How many countries have you run in?
SE: 25. New Zealand, the Auckland Marathon, is one of my favourites.
How many pairs of trainers do you go through every year?
SE: Surprisingly, only between two and three pairs.
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