Mark Carroll, after his bronze medal placing in the European championships, and two sparkling Irish records over 3,000m and 5,000m, hit the winners rostrum with a fine win in Rhode Island. He had just three seconds to spare over another former Providence College runner Michael Donnelly when he posted a winning time of 14.27 for the 5k course. Meanwhile the Cork contingent at Western Kentucky University were back in action over the country at the Birmingham Alabama classic. Here Valerie Lynch of Carrignavar finished fifth in 17.51, with Leevale’s Claire Gibbons 16th in 18.09, and Lisa Cronin of East Cork 42nd in 19.12.