James Milner Impresses with Debut New York Marathon Time at 40
James Milner, known for his dedication as a Premier League professional, recently demonstrated that his fitness remains exceptional as he tackled the New York Marathon. The former England international took on the iconic 42.125-kilometre course, finishing his debut marathon with an impressive time of three hours, nine minutes, and four seconds.
After retiring from football this summer, Milner decided to test his renowned fitness on this challenging course. At 40 years old, he recorded an average pace of seven minutes and 12 seconds per mile, which translates to approximately four minutes and 28 seconds per kilometre. This pace is particularly commendable given the hilly terrain of the New York route.
Milner's race strategy involved an aggressive start, completing the first half in one hour and 31 minutes. However, he faced challenges in the latter stages, finishing the second half in one hour and 38 minutes. Prior to the race, he acknowledged that building up his mileage without injury was a significant concern, especially since his previous clubs had limited his running workload towards the end of his career.
Reflecting on his performance, Milner expressed that he believes he could have achieved a sub-three-hour finish in his younger days. He recounted his struggles following a knee operation two years ago, which left him unable to walk properly for six months due to nerve damage. Despite these challenges, he felt proud to complete the marathon, stating, "I don’t want to get too much caught up on the time."
Milner's Journey from Football to Marathon
Milner's transition to long-distance running is not entirely surprising. During his tenure at Liverpool, he was known for excelling in the club's demanding pre-season training sessions, often outpacing his teammates. His background in cross-country running further supports his successful shift to marathon running.
While Milner's debut time is impressive, it places him behind other former professionals like Arjen Robben and Aaron Ramsey, who both broke the three-hour barrier in their marathon debuts. Nevertheless, Milner's performance is noteworthy, especially considering the challenges he has overcome.
The Final Stretch
In the overall race, debutant Andreas Almgren took the victory with a remarkable time of two hours, six minutes, and one second, followed closely by Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa. The women's race was equally thrilling, with Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui securing her second New York Marathon title in two hours, 24 minutes, and 36 seconds, edging out American runner Jessica McClain by just one second.
Milner's accomplishment serves as an inspiring reminder of the potential for athletes to transition into new challenges, showcasing not only his personal resilience but also the enduring spirit of distance running.
