'I'm in shock': Limerick marathon runner Ava takes another award in her stride

IT’S NO surprise that the fastest female Dublin Marathon runner was first to arrive for the Limerick Person of the Month presentation in the Clayton Hotel.

Ava Crean, aged 19, of Mungret, was accompanied by proud mum Helena to accept the monthly accolade for Limerick’s brightest and best.

Ava, who is studying in Manchester, was the first Irish woman to cross the finish line at the Dublin Marathon last month, becoming the youngest ever athlete to win the women's national title. She won the Great Limerick Run in May. Ava only took up running during Covid.

On the morning of the Dublin Marathon, Ava said she definitely wasn’t thinking about winning.

“It was just to try and beat my time from Limerick, which was two hours and 43 minutes. That was the main goal - and to compete as well - but I definitely didn't think about winning. I was just trying to stay in a group - I knew Ann-Marie McGlynn was going out at a similar pace that I've been training for. I just tried to stick with her for as long as I could.” 

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Ava thinks she might have hit the infamous “wall” but pushed through it.

“There was like 12 or 15 kilometers to go and my legs felt so tight. They were getting really heavy and I felt like I was fighting for every step, but I just tried to break it down in my head and I just kept going.

“I didn't believe I won until I saw the finish line because I didn't believe my legs had it in them because I was scared that they were just going to cramp up any second.”

Ava made local and national headlines and was all over social media immediately after her history-making win in two hours and 34 minutes.

“I was in shock. I was definitely not expecting that much (coverage). People have been beeping at me when I’m running along the roads and cheering me on which is great.” 

Ava is taking things relatively easy at the moment before going into another marathon training block ahead of a race in April. 

She is quick to thank her coach John Kinsella.

 “I wouldn't have been able to do it without him.” 

Ava was delighted to collect an early Christmas present with the Limerick Person of the Month award.

“I'm in shock. I'm so grateful for everything and thank you so much for giving it to me,” she smiled.