Athletics

THE Leinster Athletics Star Awards are awarded to athletes to recognise outstanding achievement and contribution within athletics.

ST Abban’s juvenile athletes enjoyed a hugely successful start to the 2026 Leinster Juvenile Indoor Championships, which got underway in Athlone with the relays and older juvenile field events.

THE inaugural Coal Miners 5km, hosted by St Abban’s AC, got off to a flying start as 213 runners toed the line on a lovely morning that felt tailor-made for fast racing.

THE countdown is on for the muchly anticipated race The Great Heath Run which takes place on Sunday next January starting at The Heath GAA Club (R32 HF72) and which is sponsored by GreenFeet LawnCare.

THE Laois Senior Cross Country took place on Sunday last in a new location, Mac’s Valley Spink. After winning last year’s ladies’ event, Ballyroan/Abbeyleix and District hosted the event on a very testing cross country course.

THE Leinster B Cross Country and Relay Championships were held on familiar territory on Saturday when Stradbally Hall played host to the penultimate Cross Country event in 2025.

Camross Community Park junior parkrun is the latest initiative supported by parkrun Ireland in partnership with Vhi, as part of their ongoing commitment to encouraging active lifestyles and building healthier communities across the country.

Portlaoise teenager Dan Downey was crowned All-Ireland Schools Combined Events Champion.

Westport Sea 2 Summit, one of Ireland’s longest-running adventure races, returned for its 14th year with a field of more than 2,300 competitors.

Photos by: Denis Byrne

The Laois Masters, Junior and Juvenile Development races took place at Laois’ premier cross country venue, Emo Court, on Sunday last.

Day 1 of the Leinster Juvenile Even Ages, U20 and Novice Cross Country Championships were held on Saturday in Gowran.

MANY St Abban’s AC athletes were in action on Sunday at the Autumn Open International Cross-Country held in Abbotstown. The event usually marks the beginning of the Cross Country for senior athletes.

DAY 2 of the Laois Uneven Ages and intermediate Cross Country took place in the familiar setting of Cappakeel, Emo on Sunday last with a large crowd in attendance from St Abban’s.

LAOIS athletes, Kate McDonald and Riley Connolly both served up solid performances at the recent World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2025.

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THE Cross-Country calendar began in earnest on Sunday with St Abban’s AC hosting the Even Ages and Novice Cross Country Championships. The event was held adjacent to last year’s course, once again on the land kindly provided by Ian McDonald.

THE first running of the St Abban's AC Primary Schools Cross Country Relays took place on Friday last in Killeshin. The event was attended by 11 schools with a massive 200 students taking part.

A NUMBER of Laois athletes made their presence felt at last weekend’s British and Irish Mountain Running Championships in Wales.