The challenge came in the middle of an epic bike ride. You see, Johnston was riding as an ambassador in Waugh’s big annual event – The Captain’s Ride – which was held in Victoria’s Alps. 

As they neared the finish line on one particular mountain climb, Waugh and Johnston were among the pack of riders.

Olympic gold medalists Anna Meares [cycling] and Daley Thompson [decathlon] had led the pack up the mountain.

We should point out that the ride wasn’t a race. The participants were mostly riding together in a pack for charity. But top sportspeople never really lose their competitive spirit. 

As the finish line approached, Waugh said: “Here’s someone’s chance to beat two gold medalists”.

Johnston, who grew up in Lake Macquarie, said to Waugh: “I’ll tell you who’s gonna make a bolt, if you don’t mind, the boy from Boolaroo”.

“Steve said ‘go for it’. So I shot up the outside. As I’ve flown past them, I’ve yelled out, ‘The boy from Boolaroo does it again’.”

Waugh said: “Craig took it on and smashed it out of the ballpark. He just took off. He was about 100 metres in front. We all watched and clapped him. It was his moment”.

In his heyday, Johnston played for Liverpool in England. He overcame incredible odds to become Australia’s most decorated footballer. 

But in recent years, he hasn’t done a great deal of exercise. Waugh’s event was a six-day, 800-kilometre ride in mountainous country.

Before the race, Johnston told Waugh: “I can’t possibly do this”.

He overcame the odds again.

“Everyone who does the ride are real characters of sport, business or medicine. Actually, there was a cardiologist on the ride. I kept a close eye on him just in case,” Johnston joked.

Waugh said Johnston was nervous before the ride. 

“We spoke a few times. He didn’t really expect too much of himself. He thought he’d only do 20 or 30 kilometres a day. Once he got on the bike, his natural instincts kicked in. You couldn’t stop him,” he said. 

“He was incredible. To ride with no preparation before the event was a phenomenal achievement. He really motivated everyone around him.

“To be fair to him, every kilometre was a triumph. But then, it’s having a bit of fun along the way. His competitive juices are still very much alive.”

And so, in future, when he reflects on his participation in the event, Johnston joked that he’ll be able to say: “The boy from Boolaroo beat two gold medalists”.

Steve Waugh said the event was aimed at raising funding and awareness for kids with rare diseases.

“It’s giving them a voice and acknowledging those kids because they’re the orphans of the health system. They’re often without support and without anyone to turn to. So we offer them that. We aim to give them a voice and acknowledge them,” he said.

“The ride is meant to be tough. It’s probably the hardest charity bike ride in Australia, if not the world.

“We push people outside their comfort zones. Craig was an amazing example. It’s about teamwork, helping each other out and getting there.”

Johnston said the kids involved, along with their parents, cheer off the riders and greet them at the finish lines.

“Clips of the kids are shown at night, which inspires the riders for the next day.” 

The videos made riders cry, many of them blokes. Johnston was among them. 

“We were also crying because our muscles hurt,” he joked.

Seriously though, the riders knew their hard work was for the kids.

“It’s an amazing event and a life-changing experience,” Johnston said. 

“I had no idea what I was in for. I soon found out.”

Now that he’s done the ride, we had to ask: any chance of pulling the boots back on for an over 45s soccer team? Nope. Those days are long gone. And what days they were.

Waugh said Johnston had “an incredible impact on the riders and support staff”. 

“People got to know him a bit better and got to know his story,” Waugh said.

“I think he’s one of the unsung heroes of Australian sport.”