A SEVEN hundred marathons world record of races finished in the fastest average time of just under 3hrs 18mins beckons a Moreton man who is just six races away from his next target.

Super-human Steve Edwards, 52, who works in IT at Campden BRI, has just run his 694th marathon, a challenging eight-lap cross country course around Holton Lee Country Park, near Poole, where he finished second with a time of 3.23. He how has a marathon scheduled every weekend until his 700th which he hopes will be at Bournemouth on October 4.

Earlier this year he became the first athlete in the world to run 600 official marathons all inside 3.30 and more recently, the first athlete in the UK to run 300 marathons all inside 3.15.

Commenting after Saturday's race, Edwards said: "I'm over the moon to finish second in what was a tough race on a very warm day. I was hanging on in the final few miles but then that's what I seem to be doing more often these days, I think age is finally starting to catch up with me a bit." "As always, I'm just hoping that I don't pick up any injuries before Bournemouth and I can continue to meet the demands of my schedule."

So far this year Steve has run 30 marathon races, averaging 3hrs 17min for each. With further races booked after the 700th, he could well end up on around 710 by the end of the year. Ultimately the 1,000 marathon world record is still in his sights, health and fitness permitting.