James Milner has begun training for a marathon only months after retiring from professional football, continuing the remarkable endurance work that defined his 24-year Premier League career. The former Liverpool and Brighton midfielder shared details of a 32.2km training run completed in two hours and 26 minutes, at an average pace of 4 minutes 32 seconds per kilometre.
Milner, 40, announced his retirement in June after becoming the Premier League’s all-time appearance leader. He finished with 658 top-flight appearances, five more than former Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry, after surpassing the previous record during Brighton’s 2–0 victory over Brentford in February.
The former England international played for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton during a career that began in 2002. He won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Milner had previously suggested that marathon running could become a post-football target. After breaking the Premier League appearance record, he said that while he did not fear retirement, he expected to miss the structure and daily purpose provided by professional football.
“I wouldn’t say I fear retirement because I look forward to having that break and having time to do what I want,” Milner said. “But I think, like most people say, you miss the structure and what you are training for every day. Maybe I will look towards a marathon or something like that to give me something to go for again.”
His latest training effort suggests that target is already well underway. A full marathon covers 42.195km, leaving Milner around 10km short of race distance, but his 32.2km session represents a substantial long run for any athlete preparing for the event.
Milner’s decision to pursue endurance running is entirely in keeping with the reputation he built throughout his football career. One of only five outfield players to make a Premier League appearance after turning 40, he maintained elite physical standards through more than two decades at the top level and now appears determined to test those standards in a new sporting challenge.
