Glenn records personal best time

Nat was first across the line in an excellent time of 57:42, finishing in third place overall and smashing his previous personal best for the distance by over one minute. James followed, breaking the infamous 60-minute target with a 59:35 finish, enough to secure fifth place overall and not to be out done, also shredding over one minute of his personal best for 10 miles. Craig, an excellent role-model and performer for Larne AC over the years, had a tremendous run, winning the vet 50 prize in 60:29 (7th place overall).

Meanwhile, Saturday saw 13 Larne AC athlete’s compete in the Kennedy Kane McArthur Festival of Running, incorporating 10km, half-marathon and marathon races.

Considering the tough course and humid conditions, all Larne AC runners had good races but it was Justin Maxwell, currently training for the World Mountain Running Challenge in September, who led Larne’s 10 half-marathon entrant’s home in 1:17:10, taking fourth place.

Team-mate Billy Thompson finished in 1:25:13, securing 16th place followed by Paul Tilson who ran 1:33:02 (41st place). Bert Shaw, running the race whilst enjoying a weekend break on the north coast, completed the course in 1:37:14 (58th place).

In the female race Geraldine Quigley claimed 6th place in 1:37:42, closely followed by Kirsty Sharratt (7th place – 1:38:46), who ran an excellent race, achieving a personal best by almost two minutes. Rhonda Montgomery (25th – 1:47:08) was the next Larne AC lady across the line, also running a personal best by nearly two minutes. Ruth Wilson, completing her sixth half marathon this year and attempting to win her category in the Half Marathon Championships, finished in 1:51:47 (31st place).

Heather Baxter, eager to improve her half marathon time from Stranraer early this year finished well, running 1:52:59 to claim 33rd place. Rhonda Brady followed closely behind (36th – 1:53:57) and was happy to have run her quickest half marathon of the year after having returned from injury. Elaine Hall, ever consistent in long-distance races, completed Larne AC’s interest in the half marathon, running 2:08:50 (60th place).

In the marathon, Phelim McAllister ran an exceptional race and after a challenging second half he finished in 5th place in 3:05:52. Eddie Finn and Amy Beggs enjoyed their usual tussle - two of Larne’s most enthusiastic ultra-runners could not keep away from this challenging event. It was Amy who crossed the line first this time (96th place overall - 4:33:42) with Eddie finishing well in 4:58:36 (104th place).

On the same day, David Henderson MBE, a long-term member of Larne AC, took part in the ECOS Parkrun in Ballymena, completing the 5km time trial in 24:40, achieving a new Parkrun personal best.