Shock and joy as Limerick teenager wins national title in Dublin Marathon

Limerick teenager Ava Crean has claimed the Irish women's title at the Dublin Marathon in what was her third attempt at the landmark distance.

Running for the Back 2 Boston Running Club, Crean, from Raheen, edged out veteran Ann-Marie McGlynn who was chasing her third national title. That is despite Crean having only taken up competitive running this year, running her first marathon in April.

Nineteen-year-old Crean finished the race in a time of 2:34:12, a nine-minute personal best.

Former Crescent College Comprehensive student Crean stuck to Ann-Marie McGlynn like glue in the opening half, coming through the 21.1km split in 1:17.12 with the two-time national champion just once second behind.

By the 35km mark, Crean extended her lead, creating a 70-second gap to the defending champion and looked set to take the national title comfortably.

The Limerick native crossed the line in sixth place overall, running a nine-minute personal best.

PICTURES: Spot the Limerick faces among thousands running the 2025 Dublin Marathon

Ann-Marie McGlynn was roared home to eighth place in the women’s race, clocking 2:36.24 and was also the second Irish woman to cross the line.

Nichola Sheridan (Bohermeen AC) took bronze in 2:39.55 with Meghan Ryan (DSD AC) and Caitlyn Harvey (Roadrunners AC) close behind in tenth and 11th overall.

“I can’t believe it,” Crean said afterwards. “I couldn’t have done it without my coach, family and friends. When I first started training for Dublin, I was aiming for 2:40 or 2:39 and to be able to do that today, I honestly couldn’t have done it without my coach.”

In the men's race, the hotly contested national championship saw three Irish men go with the lead group in the early stages. Hiko Tonosa was joined by fellow DSD athlete Paul O’Donnell and Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) in the lead elite group.

Tonosa, who confirmed his participation late, sat at the back of the elite leading group taking shelter from the damp conditions and came through the hallway mark in 64 minutes.

With just over ten kilometres left to run David McGlynn moved up to eighth overall, coming through 30 kilometres in one hour, 32 minutes.

The 26-year-old made his marathon debut in Dublin last year clocking 2:15.26 on that occasion.

Tonosa, who was unable to finish the marathon event in last month’s World Championships in Tokyo in tough conditions, stepped aside in Dublin before the 35km mark.

David McGlynn took the national title and crossed the line in fifth position overall in a five-minute personal best.

Creech was just one place behind, taking second place in the national championship race for the third time in 2:11.46.

O’Donnell was seventh overall and third in the national race with a 2:12.11 clocking.

The race was won by Daniel Mesfin of the United States in 2:08.51.

ALL PICTURES: SPORTSFILE