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Arjen Robben Completes First Ever Marathon In Ridiculous Time

Arjen Robben Completes First Ever Marathon In Ridiculous Time

Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands star Arjen Robben ran his first ever Marathon on Sunday.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea star Arjen Robben has completed his first ever marathon in an incredible time.

The 38-year-old retired from football for the second time in July, having come back to play for boyhood club Groningen.

However the Netherlands legend only played seven times in all competitions and decided to call it a day.

But he's still keeping himself fit and active and on Sunday, participated in the Rotterdam Marathon. For years fans have enjoyed seeing dart down the flanks, cutting in on that trusty left foot and curling one into the top bins.

His pace has never been in doubt and he still had that blistering speed in his final years at Bayern. This, however, was a different type of challenge as Robben had to keep a steadier pace for a longer period of time.

It was a gruelling 26.2 mile course all around Rotterdam but Robben did it in three hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He ran the race alongside Erben Wennemars, a former Dutch speed skater who set three world records during his career.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Robben, who won league titles in Holland, England, Spain and Germany, averaged a hugely impressive pace of 7 minutes and 23 seconds per mile.

But footage of Robben running the race shows him feeling the effects of such a mammoth sporting task and he admitted afterwards it was a "real fight".

"Not fun, it really wasn't fun. I made it, but that's about it. I often went deep and had to fight often enough, but this was also a real fight," the former Netherlands international told local channel Rijnmond, via Goal.

"That audience on the side helps you so much. Thanks to everyone for that, that got me through. In the beginning I was a bit preoccupied with a time, but at a certain point you throw that overboard.

"Then it's surviving and entering my first marathon. Then you notice what something like that does to your body, but I made it."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Robben is regarded as one of the best Dutch players of all-time and scored over 200 goals in a trophy-laden career.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Chelsea, Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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