St Abban’s Athletics Club had a large crowd in attendance at the Laois junior, intermediate and masters road championships, hosted by St Michael’s AC in Portarlington this weekend.
First up was the Ladies race, with Junior, Intermediate and Masters categories all taking part in the one race.
Rachel Ayers led the race from the gun, and once the girls returned into sight after 2.5km, Rachel had built a commanding lead which she held the whole way to the line.
Rachel was followed home by twins, Ellie and Katie Dillon to complete the podium.
St Abbans claimed 1st and 3rd place in the Intermediate race with Aileen Ryan and Sharon O’Hara claiming medals.
Sharon was back on the podium in the O-45 category, where Siobhan Burke took gold and Sharon silver.
The Men’s race started further back in the town of Portarlington, and saw the men complete two laps of the loop before returning to the finish.
Stephen Hunter led the race from the start and a lead-group of three men had developed.
After the first lap, Stephen, Colin Coyne and a St Michael’s athlete had broken away from the rest of the field.
Every position was up for grabs with Junior, Intermediate and Masters all toeing the line in this race.
As the men entered the closing stages, Stephen made a decisive move to take him away from the field and he took victory, followed by Colin Coyne in 2nd place.
Michael Lacey took the gold medal in the Junior Men’s race, while David McEvoy finished 2nd in the Intermediate Men’s race.
In the team standings, St Abbans claimed silver in the O-35 category behind Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District.
The team of Stephen Hunter, David McEvoy, Conor Barry and Patrick Dunne all packed well to secure silver medals.
The O-45 men went one better claiming gold medals with a team made up of Colin Coyne, Dermot Ayers, PJ Leonard and John Fenlon.
The O-65 men ran in conjunction with the ladies race over 3Km and was won by Francis Fleming, followed by Paddy Harding and Dinny Whelan to complete a clean sweep on the podium for the club.
“Many thanks to all in St Michael’s AC for their organisation of the race and refreshments afterwards,” St Abban’s said.
These athletes will now begin preparation for the Leinster Road Championships held in Gowran on May 4.
SEE ALSO – Talking Sport Podcast: Frustration for Laois U-20 hurlers and disappointment for camogie
