Top Aussie runners Milly Clark and Liam Adams both recorded personal best times, though with varying results

It was elation and devastation for the two highest finishing Aussies at the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday, despite both Liam Adams and Milly Clark recording personal best times.

It was elation and devastation for the two highest finishing Aussies at the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday, 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.

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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.”

Milly Clark comes second or runner-up in the Gold Coast Marathon on July 7, 2019, Sunday. PICTURE: Marathon Photos

With 2020 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, fellow Aussie Liam Adams cut a solemn figure on the blue carpet after falling just short of an Olympic standard time.

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

Australia's Liam Adams crosses the line in 6th at the Gold Coast Marathon. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

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