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Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and Johnathan Thurston have completed a gruelling endurance run to qualify for this year’s New York Marathon.
The duo are members of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) and began running together for the not-for-profit organisation back in July, where both former sports stars completed the Gold Coast Half Marathon alongside thousands of other runners.
On Wednesday, they arrived alongside several other IMF members to complete a 30km selection trial in Alice Springs in scorching conditions.
The group began their run before sunrise and strode their way around the country.
An Aussie sporting legend was also on hand to meet them at the end of the race, with Rob De Castella cheering on the runners as they finished the time trial.
Franklin had retired from AFL footy back in 2023, after a glittering career with Hawthorn and Sydney Swans and is highly regarded as one of the league’s greatest goalkickers.
Footy legends Buddy Franklin and Johnathan Thurston (pictured left and right at the Gold Coast Half Marathon) have qualified to run the New York Marathon
Franklin (pictured right, congratulating another racer) and Thurston both completed the Alice Springs 30km time trial on Wednesday to book their places in the New York Marathon
Thurston, meanwhile, retired back in 2018, having represented Queensland 37 times during his career, as well as winning four Dally M Medals.
As part of their running efforts, the pair are hoping to raise $1million for the IMF, a charity which uses running to help drive and empower people from First Nations communities to strive for greatness.
'We've all got a purpose here with the Indigenous Marathon Project, so thinking about my family and the other squad members,’ Thurston said back in July.
Both appear to be very excited by the prospect of running the New York Marathon, with Franklin having previously opened up on how much preparation he has put in to ensure he is fit and ready to race.
'I've done a lot of work for this, obviously playing football for 19 years and then retiring, I think it's really been great for me,' he said.
'It's been really structured and I've set aside a few hours every day to make sure I'm fit enough to get through.
'Literally every six to seven weeks there's a progression which is really good … I think with all the other guys and women doing it with the foundation it's going to be pretty cool to see the progression.'
The pair were seen embracing with a hug when the time trial was complete.
Thurston (right) is a Queensland Maroons legend and is one of the most decorated NRL players to have graced the sport
Franklin (pictured) has kept in good shape since retiring from footy and jumped at the chance to run for a good cause - despite smashing his body in 354 AFL games
Last month, the Aussie sporting legends united on the Sunshine Coast to take part in the IMF's national campaign.
The pair participated in a symbolic 'Make Your Mark' beach activation event following the Sunshine Coast McDonald's Half Marathon, in which a giant sand artwork was created on the beach.
The artwork represented a call to all Australians to 'Make Your Mark' and support the IMF in its endeavours to empower First Nations people to become leaders.
Having now completed the Gold Coast Half Marathon, the Sunshine Coast Half Marathon and the Alice Springs 30km, the pair have now booked their places at the New York Marathon, which is set to take place on Sunday November 2.
