Sky’s the limit for East Coast’s Maxwell in gruelling 80k race

Justin Maxwell in action in the 80k Ultra Marathon in Chamonix. INLT 27-925-CON

East Coast AC’s Justin Maxwell put in a top-class performance in the 80k Ultra Marathon in Chamonix, France on Friday (June 27).

The 2014 Skyrunning World Championships race was his preparation for the upcoming Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc ‘CCC’ in August.

Starting at 4am, Justin joined a thousand world-class athletes in a new course which would see him face challenging and technical terrain including 6,000m of vertical climb along ridges, over snow fields, crossing into Swiss territory and traversing glaciers in a point to point loop from the town of Chamonix. He produced a magnificent display, covering the 53 miles in 13:14:56 to secure 39th place.

Scotland-based John McManus was in action on Sunday (June 29) when he completed the famous Marathon du Mont-Blanc in 5:23:19.

Elsewhere, six East Coast members took to the streets of Newtownards for the annual Ards Half-Marathon on Friday.

Three days after being crowned the male vet40 East Antrim Harriers Forest Series winner, Andy Guy was back in competition producing a top-20 finish in 1:21:38. David Clarke showed no signs of fatigue from his excellent performance on Tuesday (EAH Forest Series – Woodburn) when he crossed the line less than one minute later in 1:22:28 (24th place).

Janice Plumb was 15th placed lady (1:37:19), while Kerry Fokkens ran 1:41:00 (20th lady) and Penny Lindsay 1:41:07 (21st place lady). All three ladies were rewarded for their efforts with a bronze team medal.

Sandy Plumb joined his wife and club-mates at the finish area after completing the course in 2:15:07, taking 551st place.

East Coast AC’s international triathlete, Adele Neill, put in a top-class performance across all three disciplines at Friday’s Peninsula Sea Sprint Triathlon, earning her a well-deserved podium place. She secured third in the ladies’ category in an overall time of 1:47:17.

Parkrun

On Saturday morning James Robinson claimed top spot at the Larne parkrun in a personal best time of 19:36.

Alex Robertson cruised into the finish line in 22:50, taking 10th place. Matthew McIlroy followed shortly after in a time of 23:02, securing 12th place. Callum McIlroy marked his fifth parkrun with a well-deserved personal best when he joined his older brother in the finish area, completing the course in 23:17 (14th place).

Michelle Clarke made herparkrun debut in fine fashion when she secured third in the ladies’ race (26:52). Morna Wright covered the tough course in 28:42, taking fifth in the ladies’ category. Parkrun regular Hannah Girvin ran 29:11 (8th lady, pb).