Strong running as Clarke finishes 12th in city race

East Coast AC yet again a large number of members taking part in various events across Northern Ireland at the weekend.
Wendy and Gary McKeegan pictured after the Belfast City Half Marathon race. INLT 38-906-CONWendy and Gary McKeegan pictured after the Belfast City Half Marathon race. INLT 38-906-CON
Wendy and Gary McKeegan pictured after the Belfast City Half Marathon race. INLT 38-906-CON

The Belfast Half Marathon attracted 14 of the club’s runners on Sunday, with many achieving personal bests. Other events included the Dunluce Ultra Sprint Triathlon, The Fallows mountain race, the Causeway Sportive, and the popular parkrun events.

In Sunday’s Belfast Half Marathon, David Clarke was the first East Coast AC man to finish, running strongly to claim 12th overall and first in the male 50 category (1:18:37). Naoise McLoughlin followed with a new personal best (pb) of 1:29:35 (190th) - over four minutes quicker than his 2013 result.

The husband-and-wife team of Gary and Wendy McKeegan were the next East Coast AC home, with Gary finishing in 1:46:37 (897th) and Wendy 1:46:42 (112th lady, pb).

Paul Clements bettered his performance from last week’s Great North Run by almost five minutes when he clocked 1:48:49 (1,001st, pb).

Competing in the event in memory of their father and valued club member, Paddy Campbell, were sisters Bernadette and Trisha Campbell. The two young athletes crossed the line together, achieving the much sought after personal best time which Paddy always strived for; they ran 1:50:48 for the distance (167th and 168th place).

Carol Clarke reached the finish line in 1:50:54 (171st place) while Sandy Plumb achieved a new personal best of 1:56:13 (1,412nd) - an amazing 23 minutes quicker than his Great North Run time the previous week.

Angela Campbell and Lisa Graham both claimed personal bests in 1:56:25 and 1:56:26 respectively. Conor Sheridan put in a top class performance, finishing in a new half marathon personal best of 1:56:17 (1,648th).

Amanda Clements crossed the line in 2:08:19 (508th lady, pb), followed by Cat McClelland in 2:18:17 (785th lady).

At the Dunluce Ultra Sprint Triathlon, Dan Spencer completed the 1,000m swim, 14-mile cycle and 6.5-mile run to take 8th place in a time of 1:53:04.

Justin Maxwell finished the final race of the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association Championship, held at Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor in fifth place.

East Coast AC’s Larne parkrun report online: www.larnetimes.co.uk