The AAI Senior Track and Field went to the Oddsey Arena in Belfast last weekend. There is a new stadium under construction in Athlone and this will be their home in future. There was a very big representation from St. Laurence O’Toole in Belfast in the Senior and also in the under age group Ulster championships. In the Senior the outstanding performance came from Marcus Lawler who won the Senior 200M in a new indoor P.B. of 21.86s. Marcus reached the semi-finals of the 60M. Simon Doyle was fourth in the long jump missing a medal by 2cms. Shane Webb and Keith Noctor ran well in getting their first taste of Senior competition. Clare Murphy won the B race in the 400m in 58.43s just outside her p.b. David Kidd competed in the 5km walk and Ola Egebeymi ran the heats of the 60m flat but did not make the semi-final.

The qualifiers from the south Leinsters at Clongowes made their way to Santry last Wednesday for this year’s Leinster Cross Country school finals. The dry winter left Santry in beautiful condition for running with fast underfoot conditions which is so unusual for this time of year.

The outstanding performance last Wednesday was St Laurence O'Toole AC Siobhra O’Flatherty running for St. Leo’s who was a very impressive winner of the Minor Girls race. Siobhra and Sarah Fitzpatrick from Templeogue who was the pre race favourite went out with a strong pace from the start. The Carlow girl broke away at about half way in this 1500M race and increased her lead all the way to the finish. Siobhra now goes to the All-Ireland in Galway in March and it will be very hard to stop her take the All-Ireland title.

The large number of athletes from St Laurence O’Toole AC had a very long day in Nenagh for day one of this years Leinster Indoor Track and Field Championships. The large entry and overloaded programme resulted in a very late finish despite the best efforts of the officials. The age group relays were incorporated into the Junior, Senior and Masters with some very exciting competition throughout the day.

St. Laurence O'Toole's Athletic Club Carlow will host the 1st Annual 'Run 4 Life', in aid of Special Olympics Carlow, which will take place in Carlow on Sunday, 11th March. Everyone is invited to Walk, Jog, or Run either 5k or 10k. Both the 5k and 10k Fun Runs will commence at 2pm, and will take place over a scenic 5k lap, starting and finishing at St. Laurence O'Toole athletic track. On-line entry fee is 10 (5km) and 15 euro (10km). The course is AAI measured with associated permit granted.

Online entry will close on March 7th. Race entry available on the day at 15 and 20 euro. The purpose of this event is to raise much needed funds for both Special Olympics Carlow, and St. Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club. For further information contact Pamela Hayden on 0876808432 or email pamela.donoghue@gmail.com

The masters athletes had a successful day out at the National Indoor Finals in Nenagh on the 15th January, taking home no less than five medals from this very successful event. Four athletes represented St Laurence O'Toole Ac and all four won medals.

In the track events, all three athletes were competing for the first time in a Masters national finals. Kenneth Archbold took silver in the M40 400m, Aidan O'Toole took gold in the M40 60m & 200m and David Hayde took silver in the M45 60m. In the field events Willie O'Toole took silver in the M60 Shot Put.

It is great to see the Masters category in the Club expanding and achieving results. A few more athletes might consider coming out of retirement and joining in the fun!