Former Queensland Maroons representatives Ben Hannant, Mat Rogers and David Shillington will participate in this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 1 – 2 July

By Olivia Edwards

While the Queensland Maroons take on the New South Wales Blues in the second State of Origin clash tomorrow night, three former State of Origin players will be embarking on a new sporting challenge.

David Shillington, Ben Hannant and Mat Rogers will all line up on the start line at this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon, with Ben and Mat attempting the 42.195km Gold Coast Airport Marathon and David taking on his first Southern Cross University 10km Run.

Playing in three State of Origin series for Queensland (1997, 1999, 2000), Mat is now busy helping the city prepare for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

A born and bred Gold Coaster, Ben has experienced the most State of Origin matches of the three with a total of 12 games for Queensland to his name (2008-12).

No stranger to the intense training required for State of Origin having played in eight encounters (2009-13), David was forced to hang up his boots early this year due to injury.

Now he has focused on the Southern Cross University 10km Run as a way to stay fit and enjoy the relaxation of running long distances.

“For NRL training we didn’t often do long distance work but now in retirement I enjoy going for a run,” David said.

“It’s nothing too serious, maybe seven to 10 kilometres. I find it relaxing to put on some music and find some nice scenery.”

As David adjusts to his new life post-football, he said a challenge was not having the team to push him or training as a full-time job.

“I already miss the daily and weekly challenges and just hanging out with the boys every day,” David said.

“I have to do my own training after work rather than training as part of my work so that’s different.

“But I’m still working for the NRL and involved with the game I love so it’s not too bad.”

Recently retired @GCTitans forward David Shillington has opened up about the intense pain that plagued his career. @dloudon9 #9News pic.twitter.com/MmyPPr5x6W

— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) February 13, 2017

The same goes for Ben, current breakfast radio host on hit90.9 Sea FM and, like David, a former State of Origin front rower.

“Running is starting to become a hobby,” Ben said.

“I really don’t want to be one of those footy players that blow out.

“It’s great to run with the family and talk to the kids while we run and see how their day has been.”

In preparation for event, Ben has found the training very different from the strength and power based work required for rugby league.

“Training for the marathon is the complete opposite – it’s hours of slow running – pretty much running until my legs are about to fall off, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t help that I’m 108kg,” he said.

This is similar for David, adjusting to a new training style and having to do it without his team.

“In the NRL we never really ran more than 80 metres in a single run. Although we would run these in interval training there was never much long distance running,” David said.

“It was always on grass in football boots with a squad of 35 guys and always a competition, so now it’s quite different for me doing road runs by myself or with a mate and just relaxing into it.”

It seems the Gold Coast Airport Marathon isn’t just a running ground for retired State of Origin players, with retired AFL star Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt also training hard in preparation for the Marathon.

Although the AFL does require more endurance training than rugby league because of the sheer kilometres players have to run during a game, Spida has found marathon training very different ‘mentally’.

“Training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is more mentally challenging as it’s all on you to do the training – only you know how much work you have done,” Spida said.

“If you don’t train, you only have to answer to yourself, but in a team sport you are held accountable by so many, so it’s a massive difference.

“I really can’t wait to hear the encouragement from those either running in it with me or watching – I’ll love the atmosphere.”

Retired AFL star Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt will run his debut Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 2 July

The Queensland Government is proud to support the 2017 Gold Coast Airport Marathon through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

The 39th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.

Set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities, this year’s race program will feature the Gold Coast Airport Marathon over 42.195km, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, The Star Gold Coast 5.7km Challenge, Zespri 4km Junior Dash and Zespri 2km Junior Dash.