ARJEN ROBBEN competed in the Rotterdam marathon this weekend but the Bayern Munich legend admitted it wasn’t a fun experience. The 38-year-old drew the curtain on his football career for the second time last year after a brief spell with boyhood team Groningen. He initially quit the sport in 2019 following 10 years with Bayern […]
ARJEN ROBBEN competed in the Rotterdam marathon this weekend but the Bayern Munich legend admitted it wasn’t a fun experience.
The 38-year-old drew the curtain on his football career for the second time last year after a brief spell with boyhood team Groningen.
He initially quit the sport in 2019 following 10 years with Bayern in what he described was the “hardest decision of his career,” before being tempted back to Gronigen in 2020 for a short period.
And the former Chelsea star traded his football boots for running ones when he took part in the annual marathon in his native Netherlands.
Robben was known as one of football’s nippiest players in his prime.
And he recorded the fastest speed at the World Cup in 2014 when his blitz on goal during the Netherlands’ 5-1 rout against Spain was timed at 37km/hr.
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Although he managed to run 26.2miles in three hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds at the marathon, Robben revealed it was harder than any football match he’s played in.
The ex-wing wizard explained that he had to trade speed for survival to see the marathon through, and thanked supporters for helping him to get to the finish line.
Robben told Dutch outlet Rijnmond, via Goal, when asked to detail his debut marathon: “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.
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“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.”
But Robben will be pleased to know that he beat national compatriot Edwin Van Der Sar’s run time of four hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds, when the ex-Manchester United stopper ran the New York marathon in 2011, Sportskeeda reported.
Robben also pipped former Liverpool striker Michael Owen who achieved a time of three hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds, at the London marathon in 2014.
Another ex-Man United ace Dwight Yorke wrapped up the London marathon in three hours 31 minutes and 56 seconds, in 2011.
