HAVING only started running nine years ago, it is nothing short of remarkable that Dave Edwards has managed to become such a well-known and successful road runner.

Often spotted with his trusty training sidekick, otherwise known as his pet labrador Bailey, the Barrow police officer has consistently finished high on the leaderboard since his first Keswick to Barrow back in 2010.


Dave's best-ever finish was in 2014, when he was the second runner to finish the gruelling fitness challenge, just 30 seconds behind his training mate Grant Johnson.

And now, as he prepares to tackle the challenge for the eighth time, the 48-year-old is hoping to be one of the first four runners to cross the finishing line once again.

"I only started running when I joined the police," he said.

"When I joined, I used to go to the gym a lot, but during my training at police HQ - spending so much time in an office - I didn't want to spend any more time inside and needed some fresh air, so I started running. It just grew from that."

As with last year, Dave, who lives on Walney, has had little time to rest ahead of Saturday's K2B, having completed the London Marathon just a couple of weeks beforehand.

"I haven't really rested since I came back from London," he said.

"But running's become a bit of an addiction to me. It's like someone who is on a diet and there's a cream cake in front of them - my running shoes are in front of me now and it's hard to stop myself going out."

As well as trying to avoid putting his running shoes on, Dave has this week been taking regular ice baths and indulged in a sports massage in a bid to ensure he is fighting fit for Saturday.

"I'm also praying for a bit of rain because if the forecast is accurate, it's going to be warm out there," he said.

"They've put on extra water stations after listening to the feedback but I think the conditions will make it difficult this year for a lot of people."

Dave is running in the Cumbria Constabulary team, kindly sponsored by Tudor Car Services and Lumier in Barrow, raising money for Blood Bikes Cumbria and Furness Homeless Shelter.