Local runner Larry Marshall continues to shine brightly on the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indoor circuit.

Last weekend the Bermudian anchored St.Augustine's men's medley relay team to victory, covering the final mile of the 4x4 track event in a time of four minutes and 24 seconds to break the tape first with the baton.

That, however, proved to be a prelude of even better things to come during a highly successful overall performance at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) indoor track meet in Landover, Maryland.

The college senior clinched victory in the men's 5,000 metres, setting a new personal best over the distance of 15 minutes and 22 seconds in a field of 12 runners.

Marshall, 21, also set a new personal best (eight minutes and 47 seconds) the week before in the men's 3,000 metres at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill indoor track and field meet.

Just last fall the Bermudian captured four victories in a seven-race cross-country series to qualify for the NCAA Division Two Championship in Evansville, Indiana.

And it is this outstanding form that Marshall now hopes will carry him through the remainder of the collegiate indoor season.

"It was a good performance . . . though I think I still could have done a bit better," Marshall told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"Sometimes as an athlete you always want to go quicker but I'm glad to have won and was able to better my time. And it was a very good experience."

Although overall Marshall said he was pleased by his recent performances, he insisted there was still room for improvement.

"I'm in good shape but I don't want to peak too early, until the right moment," he added. "I hope to peak when the right time comes and perhaps drop some times and go after some Bermuda records."

Last year saw Marshall seize line honours at Central Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) meet, the University of North Carolina Pembroke Invitational, the Greater America Cross Country Festival Small College Division and also the Southeast Regional Division Two Cross- Country Championships.

The St.Augustine senior also set a new course record at the Southeast Regional Championships, completing the 10K event in a time of 32 minutes and 18 seconds.