James Milner Marathon Time: Footballers Who Ran 26.2 Miles 2026

James Milner, the Premier League's record appearance maker, completed the New York City Marathon in an impressive 3 hours 9 minutes 4 seconds, sparking debate about how footballers fare over 26.2 miles. The 40-year-old's time, an average of 7 minutes 13 seconds per mile, has now surpassed the previous best by a former footballer that we tracked, Muzzy Izzet's 3:22:36 at the 2011 London Marathon.

Milner's achievement is notable not just for his age but for his physique, which he himself described as more like a wrestler than a whippet. He lamented that late-career injuries prevented him from breaking the three-hour barrier, a goal he believes was within reach a few years ago.

Why Milner's Marathon Time Matters

Milner's run isn't just a post-retirement hobby; it's a testament to the enduring fitness of elite footballers. His time places him ahead of other notable footballers who have tackled the marathon, including André Schürrle, who ran 3:21:25 in Berlin last year.

Schürrle, however, didn't stop at 26.2 miles. This year, the 35-year-old completed the grueling 167.7-mile Marathon des Sables in 51 hours 41 minutes 16 seconds, finishing 675th overall. He also climbed Mont Blanc, showing that some footballers push their endurance far beyond the marathon distance.

How Footballers' Marathon Times Compare

When we first compiled a list of footballers' fastest marathon times in 2012, Muzzy Izzet led the pack with his 3:22:36 in London. Now, with more recent attempts, Izzet sits in 12th place, just behind Schürrle. This shift highlights how more footballers are taking on long-distance running and raising the bar.

Milner's 3:09:04 is now the benchmark, but it's worth noting that footballers' training regimens and body types aren't typically optimized for marathon running. Their ability to adapt speaks volumes about their athleticism and discipline.

Key Takeaways for Footballers and Fans

• Milner's time of 3:09:04 is the fastest marathon by a former footballer we've recorded, surpassing Muzzy Izzet's 3:22:36.
• Age and injuries play a role: Milner believes he could have gone sub-3:00 earlier in his career.
• André Schürrle has pushed even further, completing the Marathon des Sables, a 167.7-mile multi-stage race.
• Footballers' marathon times are improving as more players take up endurance challenges post-retirement.
• Physique matters: Milner's stockier build makes his time even more impressive compared to typical distance runners.

What Drives Footballers to Run Marathons?

For many footballers, retirement brings a loss of competitive structure. Marathons offer a new challenge that fills that void. Milner's preparation for New York shows his trademark dedication, and his result is a reminder that elite athletes often excel in new arenas.

Schürrle's foray into ultra-endurance events suggests that some footballers are drawn to the extremes. The Marathon des Sables, a six-stage race across the Sahara, is considered one of the toughest footraces on Earth. His completion, along with climbing Mont Blanc, indicates a desire to test limits beyond the football pitch.

The Evolution of Footballers' Marathon Performances

Since our 2012 list, the landscape has changed. More former players are running marathons, and their times are getting faster. This trend mirrors the growing popularity of endurance sports among retired athletes from various disciplines.

Milner's time also raises the question: could an active footballer run a faster marathon? The demands of a football season make dedicated marathon training difficult, but the aerobic base of a midfielder like Milner is clearly transferable.

While Milner's time is impressive, it's worth noting that football's history is filled with stories of players who have overcome adversity. For instance, the little-known story of Wrexham's first black footballer, an Indigenous Australian pioneer, reminds us that football's reach extends far beyond the pitch. Similarly, the bizarre incident of a Brazilian footballer falling down a hole while celebrating a disallowed goal shows the unpredictable nature of the sport. The background to this story is set out in Andreas Almgren Wins NYC Marathon Debut; Chepkirui Reclaims Title. A related thread runs through Footballers Who Ended Scoring Droughts With Backside Goals. Earlier coverage in Footballers Who Scored With Their First Career Touch shows how the argument developed.

Off the field, football faces challenges like match-fixing, as seen in the recent arrest of a Laos footballer in a betting scandal. These stories contrast with the purity of marathon running, where the only opponent is the clock. Yet, as Mikel Merino's reflection on Spain's World Cup final shows, footballers are human first, and their post-career pursuits reflect that humanity. A closer look at the same subject appears in Has Run vs Has Ran: The One-Letter Grammar Mistake Most People Miss. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Has run vs has ran: the one grammar slip most writers miss Every Time. The same theme surfaces in Footballers with the Most Clubs in Career History, which takes a different angle.

Spain's unbeaten run faces its ultimate test in the World Cup final, a reminder that football's competitive spirit never fades. For Milner, the marathon provided a new arena for that spirit. And as Brazil's football chaos illustrates, the beautiful game is never far from controversy or triumph. Context on how this played out before sits in Footballers With More Own Goals Than Goals in Career. A companion piece, Gaming: latest articles, approaches the same subject from another angle.