O'Sullivan broke the Masters (Vet 40+) 3,000m world record running 8.09.13 at an indoor held at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania on 26th January. He finished an impressive third to Tom Parlapiano who himself is under the tutelage of O'Sullivan at Villanova University. O'Sullivan, a three-time indoor mile World Champion broke the record of 8.20.16 held by Britain's Nigel Gates set in 1994.

Dermot Galvin (Providence) ran 14:21.01 to place 8th in the 5,000m at the Terrier Classic held in Boston, Massachusetts on 25-26th January. Teammate Patrick Guidera placed 32nd in 15.04.53. On the women's side, Deirdre Byrne won the 1,000m in 2.54.55; Roisin McGettigan placed 2nd in the mile in 4.48.72 and Emer O'Shea ran 2.13.94 for 4th in the 800 metres. In the 3,000m event, Kathryn Casserly placed 9th in 9:50.74 with Mary Cullen running 9:52.32 for eleventh.

In outdoor track action, Ciara Sheehy of Dublin City Harriers returned two personal bests at ABFA Track Meeting held in Germiston, South Africa on 25th January. Sheehy ran won the 100m (11.72) and placed second in the 200-metre event running 23.21, setting an Irish U-23 record. Martina McCarthy who won the 400m in 54.01, Derval O'Rourke won the 100m hurdles in 13.75; Darren Hough won the 100m in 10.72 and David Byrne placed 2nd in the 400m hurdles in 52.41.

Tommy Evans from High Point University placed second running 14.51.21 in the 5,000m at the Blue Heaven Classic Meeting held at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on 26th January.

After his tune-up in Scotland, James Nolan (UCD) ran a brilliant 3:38.69 to place third in the 1,500 metres at the Sparkassen-Indoor Meeting held in Dortmund, Germany on 27th January. Irish ex-patriot James McIlroy placed 8th in 3.48.34. In his first competition since his tainted toothpaste doping ban ended, Dieter Baumann (Germany) finished second in the 3000m in 7.47.54, a mere .22 behind winner Million Wolde of Ethiopia.

Karen Shinkins (Dublin City Harriers) ran 53.90 to place third in the 400 metres at the adidas Boston Indoor Games held at the Reggie Lewis Track & Field Center in Roxbury, Massachusetts on 27th January. Daniel Caulfield, also from DCH placed 4th in the 1,000m running 2.20.58. Anchored by Enda Johnson's 4.02.9 mile leg, Brown University ran 9.46.54 for 7th in the Distance Medley Relay.

A few Irish runners enjoyed the beautiful climate and took in a race as well at the Bermuda International Race Weekend held in Hamilton, Bermuda on 18th-20th January. Marcus O'Sullivan ran 4.14.22 to place fourth in the Elite Men's mile. In the women's 10-kilometre race, Bandon's Breeda Dennehy Willis ran 35.34 for third and Marie McMahon Davenport got fifth in a time of 36.21.

The annual FMC International four-mile road race was held in Little Island on Sunday, 27th January under BHAA rules. Once again there was an excellent turn out of athletes with some great racing. Phillip Harty made the journey from West Waterford a profitable one. Phillip was never in danger of losing the race, leaving Cathal O'Connell to take second after a close encounter with Garrett Barry who was third. Mary Sheehan is similar to the Hartys, winning consistently. While she did win again on Sunday she did have to overcome a serious challenge from Claire Gibbons who is making good progress in recent weeks.

Men: 1) Philip Harty, 20:09; 2) Cathal O'Connell, 20:26; 3) Garrett Barry, 20:29; 4) J. Barrett, 20:42; 5) J. Palmer, 21:02; Over 40 1) M. Murphy, 22:17;
Women: 1) Mary Sheehan, 23:51; 2) Claire Gibbons, 23:55; 3) M. Murphy, 24:55; 4) R. Lynch, 25:30; 5) M. Sweeney, 25:54. Over 40:1) B. Murphy, 27;05