NORTH Cotswold Tri and Run's Steve Edwards ran his 900th marathon to set a new world record.

Edwards became the first person to average below three hours 20 minutes for 900 official marathons after another tough but successful race at Walton-on-Thames.

A testing eight laps along the River Thames path with a vicious headwind to contend with at times proved challenging.

Edwards also fell at 25 miles and was slightly disorientated for a little while before he managed to get going again to finish in 3.44.10.

It only added another second to his overall average finish time of three hours 19 minutes 20 seconds for all 900 races.

His marathons have included 145 sub 3.10, 325 3.15, 500 3.20 and 797 3.30 and he has done one on average every 12 days for 32 years.

Edwards said he was thrilled to achieve the record after all the hard work and dedication over many years.

He continued: “I could never have imagined anything like this being possible when I first started.

"I would have dearly loved to get the 800 sub 3.30 before now but it wasn’t to be.

"However never say never, maybe I can get the three required at some of the faster spring or autumn road marathons, we’ll see.

"For now I’m just relieved to have hit the 900 mark and will be counting down into double figures for the really big one.”

Edwards paid tribute to his team of sponsors and thanked his fellow members of North Cotswold Tri and Run and the 100 Marathon Club.

But he believes the most important part of Team Edwards is his wife Teresa.

He added: “Teresa has been there for me throughout and I couldn’t have done this without her love and support."

On Edwards' future goals, he said: “I hope the 1,000 marathons record, I know I’m slowing down but am still determined to try to maintain a sub 3.30 average if my body will let me.

"One hundred to go. All I can do is keep everything crossed and take it a mile at a time and a race at a time!”