IT wasn't the 20-a-day smoking habit that was Steve Way's greatest addiction.

It was the Snickers and the takeaways and the self-indulgence of the bon viveur.

"Even though the first 33 years of my life were very unhealthy, at the time I was thoroughly enjoying my life," the marathon specialist declares. "I can't regret it. I'd be pretty rude to friends by saying I had. I've had a certain lifestyle, a lot of it with my wife, and I enjoyed it."

His blood pressure was through the roof and he tipped the scales at over 100 kilos. Now 40, he is a heavyweight on the roads instead, following a fantastical transformation into an accomplished athlete good enough to finish 10th for England at last year's Commonwealth Games in a personal best of two hours and 15 minutes. And one who, into his fifth decade, will be taking aim at a place in the British team for the 2016 Olympics.

First up, however, is tomorrow's Edinburgh Marathon where he will face a slate of African arrivistes, including defending champion David Toniok of Kenya. Coming off the injury which forced him to relegate London five weeks ago to a training run, he may place limits on his own assault.

For much of that race, he was within reach of Paula Radcliffe. By the close, he had opted to speed ahead before joining those who watched the world record holder's valedictory sprint up The Mall. "The last thing you'd want was a run you'd look back on with regret," Way declares. "So I was so pleased for her. She looked just like the old Paula, running strongly and it was nice to be a small part of that."

He relished his moment in the spotlight at last summer's Commonwealths where his redemption tale struck a chord. Dorset-based, he had never planned to qualify, let alone excel. The focus was on the British 100km championships, a race lasting well over six hours. Instead by following home Mo Farah and Chris Thompson at the 2014 London Marathon, he earned himself an unforgettable tour of Glasgow.

"Crossing the line was the highlight, realising that the three top-end goals I'd had: to PB, to break Ron Hill's veterans record and to get in the top 10. I'd squeezed them all in," Way recounts. "But I was quite emotional when I crossed the line. Just having that fantastic moment, and then getting thrust on to BBC and being live with Jonathan Edwards, it was intense. My wife was by the holding tent at the finish and I was able to have a few minutes with her which was special. Those few minutes after crossing the line will live with me forever."

So would Brazil, if he earns the right to leg it down Copacabana, 15 months from now. The qualification time of 2:14 is perfectly achievable. "It's not so far off my best that I have to just dismiss it as pie in the sky. I've got to get myself back into the Commonwealth Games shape I had and then take a shot at it next year when I'll be almost 42, just to have a crack at being in Rio."