Premier League supporters were taken aback when a well-known figure of English football appeared among the runners in the New York Marathon.

The event this year attracted roughly 60,000 participants, ranging from elite distance athletes to casual runners supporting charitable causes.

Among the competitors on Sunday was ex-Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder James Milner.

The veteran hung up his boots at the close of last season after setting a new league appearance record.

He quickly shifted his focus to training for a fresh challenge, entering the marathon at age 40.

The 26-mile route carried Milner through New York's five boroughs, concluding in Central Park, Manhattan.

Fans spotted the former star in a bright yellow vest as he zipped around the course.

Data from the New York Road Runners app show Milner maintained an average pace of 7:13 per mile, crossing the finish line in three hours, nine minutes and four seconds.

Before the race, he disclosed that his preparation involved an AI model, saying he discussed ideas with the computer while completing three or four runs weekly.

When questioned about a target time, the ex-Brighton player replied that he was content to let the race unfold naturally.

He told LetsRun.com: "A few years ago, I feel like I could have definitely done sub-3:00. My career went on longer and longer.

"Two years ago, I had a knee operation, and when I woke up from the knee operation, I couldn't lift my foot. And I had a second operation that day to check, and then I couldn't lift my foot for six months. I had nerve damage.

"So I feel to go from not being able to walk properly and maybe never being able to walk to coming back, playing football in the Premier League, and hopefully potentially finishing a marathon, I don't want to get too much caught up on the time.

"Obviously, I'm a competitive guy and I want to do well, but I feel like after going through that and the miles I've got on the clock playing football for a very long time

"So [my goal is] to just enjoy it and finish it, because New York's such a special place to do my first marathon here, and 50th anniversary [of the five-borough marathon] as well. That's pretty special on this course."