ATHLETICS: East Coast AC members tackle Causeway Coast races

Some of the East Coast Athletic Club contingent at the 26extreme Causeway Coast events. INLT 40-912-CON

Fifteen members of East Coast Athletic Club took on the 26extreme Causeway Coast events at the weekend.

The hardy ultra-runners were first to toe the line, including Nigel Taylor who took on the 40-mile course.

Murray Deller impressed in the marathon, finishing in 24th place in a time of 4:00:57.

In the half-marathon, Lee Stirling looked strong as he powered up the final climb to finish in 2:14:54 (126th).

Karl Joyce and Stephen Smyth made for an exciting finish, with Karl surging ahead to cross the line in 2:17:26 (145th place), and Stephen following in 2:17:36 (147th).

Angela Campbell had a superb run, finishing as the club’s first lady home in 2:25:47 to claim 52nd place in the ladies’ category. Nikki McNeill finished in 2:29:45, claiming 59th placed lady.

Other results: Martin Conway 2:33:21 (240th), Lionel Date 2:36:00 (264th), Sharon Kirkpatrick 2:46:27 (120th), Kelly Deller 2:54:42 (149th).

This was Lionel Date’s third half-marathon in as many weeks to raise funds for charity. He has completed the Great North Run, followed by the Belfast Half-Marathon and then the Causeway Coast Half-Marathon.

In the 10k, Mark McManus set off from the start-line quickly and never let up as he made his way towards the Giant’s Causeway before descending towards the finish at Portballintrae where he claimed second place in 41:37.

Alex Robertson showed he is definitely back on track after a recent injury, finishing in 16th in a time of 54:25. Amanda Clements and Fiona Swann were the next to be cheered towards the atmospheric finish area. Amanda ran 1:10:06 (51st lady), while Fiona ran well to cross the line in 1:13:59 (62nd lady).