Michael Smith, 64, has been running marathons since 1995 and says the feat has earned him a place on a worldwide ranking of just 1,900 people who have officially completed 300 or more 26.2‑mile races. He has now completed 307.
His landmark 300th marathon was close to home at the Giant’s Head Marathon, based at Sydling St Nicholas and running around the Cerne Abbas Giant.
Alongside his 300‑plus tally, Michael has also completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors – the series of six of the world’s fastest and most high‑profile city marathons: London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, New York and Boston.
Tokyo, which he ran this year to complete the set, particularly stood out.
“Tokyo is a very interesting city and a very modern country,” he said. “The people are very polite and kind. Obviously I enjoyed the marathons in the States, but I think the London Marathon is also good in our own country. When you run down the Mall and there’s all the Union Jacks and you run past Buckingham Palace, that’s lovely too.”
Michael in in his red and white Southampton shirt after completing his 300th marathon alongside friends (Image: Supplied)
Living in Weymouth has also helped him diversify into swimming and cycling, including taking part in the local Ironman events.
“One thing that’s helped me a little bit as well is I like the swimming and the cycling,” he said. “If you get an injury maybe running, you can always swim, which is really good, especially living in Weymouth. It’s nice to swim in the sea in the summer months.”
One of the most recognisable features of Michael’s marathon story is his Southampton football shirt, which he wears race after race around the world.
He added: “It’s amazing that people see that and it’s a good way to start a conversation.”
At the age of 64, Michael believes the accumulated miles have paid off for his health and he also praised the local running scene.
He said: “Doing the 300 over a long period of time, it just keeps your general fitness over a long [time] – it keeps your health good.
“There’s a couple of running clubs – there’s Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers, which I’m a member of, and you’ve got Egdon Harriers
“Especially since Covid, running’s got massive with Parkrun. Weymouth Parkrun is amazing, you get sort of 400, 500 people and you think, ‘wow’.
“I think the running clubs are good for people. You don’t have to be an Olympian – there’s a massive range of abilities.”
Away from marathons, Michael works as a bus driver for First in Weymouth. He even uses his breaks to keep active.
He added: “I get my break, I go for a little run along the seafront or, now the weather’s warmed up, I go for a swim in the sea at lunchtime, so it’s ideal.
“With any job where you’re sat down a lot like bus driving. Doing a bit of exercise, that all helps towards your long‑term health really.”