Has a footballer ever run a marathon faster than James Milner?

James Milner, the former Liverpool, Manchester City, and Brighton midfielder, recently completed the New York City Marathon in 3 hours 9 minutes 4 seconds at age 40, averaging 7:13 per mile. This time surpasses the previous best known by The Knowledge, set by ex-Leicester playmaker Muzzy Izzet at the 2011 London Marathon (3:22:36). Milner, known for his exceptional fitness and bleep test prowess, said he felt he could have gone under three hours if not for late-career injuries. The article explores the history of footballers running marathons, inviting readers to contribute more examples. It highlights the remarkable endurance of professional footballers post-retirement and the growing trend of athletes taking on endurance challenges. The piece also mentions other football-related trivia, including managers sacked after new deals and war commemorations on kits, but the marathon focus underscores Milner's unique achievement in bridging football and long-distance running.