AROUND 10,000 runners, from Dallas to Dorset, have signed up for the Bournemouth Marathon Festival next weekend.

Among them will be world record holder Steve Edwards who is hoping to complete his 651st marathon.

He is the first person to run 400 official marathon races in under three hours and 20 minutes.

Steve, who lives in the Cotswolds, has been running at the rate of one marathon a week.

He said: “The last year has been harder than ever.

“It’s not only physically demanding but trying to stay focused week in, week out, month after month, year after year really has tested me mentally.

“The focus and motivation to carry on has at times been incredibly difficult.

“Thankfully though, I do have a very loving and supportive wife, Teresa, who has been with me for the majority of this journey, which started in 1988, and I know that without her support I couldn’t have achieved all that I have.”

Race director Neil Kilgour said: “The spectacular, natural running environment and fresh air of Bournemouth and Poole has proved to be the perfect choice for runners who want to run ‘as it should be’.”

Saturday hosts junior races, a Speed of Light 5k and a 10k, with the half and full marathon completing the line-up on Sunday.

Visit run-bmf.com.