Former Chelsea captain John Terry encountered significant difficulties during the London Marathon, being forced to walk for a portion of the race and observed limping.
The Chelsea legend started the race alongside his former Blues teammate, Jody Morris, maintaining a strong pace initially.
However, his performance declined noticeably after the halfway mark. Terry, aged 44, was visibly limping at one point according to television coverage, and it took him 55 minutes to cover the distance between the 35k and 40k points.
Adding to his challenges, the former England captain reportedly suffered bleeding from one of his nipples – a common, albeit painful, issue for long-distance runners.
Fortunately, demonstrating great camaraderie, Morris waited for his friend to provide encouragement, and they ultimately crossed the finish line together.
The pair successfully raised over £46,000 for Rays of Sunshine, a children`s charity dedicated to supporting seriously ill children aged three to 18 and fulfilling their special wishes.
Speaking after the race, Terry commented on the immense difficulty, stating, “This feels chalk and cheese to how you feel after a football match. Can’t compare that.”
He described the marathon as “the toughest thing I’ve done,” highlighting the significant mental and physical strain.
Terry mentioned feeling the effects around the 13k mark and noted the hot weather on the day as a considerable factor after a strong start in the initial 10-15k.
He quipped about the conditions, saying he`d never wanted it to rain more, contrasting it sharply with ideal golfing weather but not for marathon running.
Despite undertaking significant training, including preparation in the heat in Dubai, he acknowledged pre-race nerves led to a poor night`s sleep.
While forced to walk a couple of times, he found immense motivation in the “incredible” support and encouragement from fans along the route.
Regarding the possibility of running another marathon, he stated it was far too early to decide if this would be his first and last.
Fans widely applauded Terry`s effort and determination to reach the finish line despite his visible struggles.
Supporters on social media noted Jody Morris`s patient wait for Terry and expressed their respect for the former captain completing the gruelling race despite apparent discomfort, including the bleeding nipple. Many celebrated the “legends” finishing side-by-side.
Terry, who was among five former Premier League players participating in the London Marathon, finished the race in 5:00:43.
He expressed pride in his accomplishment and appreciated the positive interactions, including some friendly banter from football fans along the way. He thanked everyone who provided encouragement.
He proudly highlighted the substantial amount of money raised for Rays of Sunshine and his own John Terry Foundation.
Feeling the physical toll after the race (“My legs are killing me”), he mentioned looking forward to a well-deserved beer, having abstained from alcohol for six to eight weeks during his training.
Other notable football figures who took part included former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere, Steve Sidwell, and Danny Mills. Juventus and Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci was also registered, and seven-time Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny completed the marathon as well.
