Cotswold athlete Steve Edwards has kicked off the first two months of 2022 with another four marathons to take his overall total to 925 as he continues in his record breaking quest.

Edwards, from Moreton in Marsh, is aiming to become the first person ever to run 1000 official marathon races in an average finish time of under three hours and 30 minutes.

In January, the 59 year old endurance athlete from Longborough ran 3hrs 38min at the Hayes track marathon followed by another 3hrs 38min performance a fortnight later at the Staines Thames path marathon.

Then in February he ran 3hrs 35min at the Shrewsbury track marathon and 3hrs 40min at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome marathon.

Commenting after his first four races of the year Edwards said: "I've been managing various injury niggles for the last 12 months which along with the Covid lockdowns has really hampered my progress over the last few years.

"So, this year, I'm really hoping to pick up the momentum again to try and get past 950 which will be another huge landmark for me not least from a psychological aspect.

"It's also my 60th birthday later this year which was originally when I wanted to achieve this record but hopefully with no more setbacks, I could reach it before I'm 62, good health and fitness permitting of course."

Edwards' marathon running career now spans 42 years in which he's averaged an official marathon race every 13 days for the last 34 years.

He still holds the British record for the most sub 3hrs 15min marathons with a total of 325 and the world record for the most sub 3hr 30min marathons with a total of 801.

His current average finish time for 925 marathons stands at 3hrs 19min 50sec, so he's still well on course to smash the sub 3hrs 30min average if all goes to plan.