Locals’ time to rejoice, regret

IT WAS elation and devastation for the two highest finishing Aussies at the Gold Coast Marathon yesterday, despite both Liam Adams and Milly Clark recording personal best times.

For Adams, who was the first Aussie to cross the line in sixth place, his time of 2:11:36 was an agonising six seconds short of the 2020 Olympics qualification standard.

On the other hand, Clark put in an incredible run to finish second in a time of 2:28:08, nearly a minute faster than her personal best time of 2:29:07 set in Amsterdam in 2015.

“I’m really stoked at the moment,” she said.

“The legs are in the hurt locker but I’m really happy.

“The crowd was awesome and there weren’t too many quiet spots.”

With the Olympics fast approaching, Clark’s commanding performance puts her firmly in the frame for Tokyo team selection after she placed 18th at Rio in 2016.

“It’s probably a bit too early to tell but I’d like to be there and hopefully today I’ve put myself in a good position to be in the mix,” she said.

“I’ll probably take a week or so to let it sink in and enjoy it and see how my legs pull up before making the call about what I’ll do next.”

While Clark celebrated with family and friends, Adams cut a solemn figure on the blue carpet after falling just short of setting an Olympic-standard time.

“I had a massive PB but I came here with the intention of running a bit quicker today,”

A MASSIVE PB BUT I CAME HERE (TO RUN) A BIT QUICKER TODAY LIAM ADAMS

he said.

“I thought I was in great shape but I butchered it towards the end.

“The last 7km I just dropped off so I’m really disappointed and shattered.”

Adams said he would now look at competing in another marathon this year to sew up his plane ticket to represent Australia in Tokyo.