Ava Crean

At just 19 years old, Limerick-born runner Ava Crean’s recent triumph at the Dublin City Marathon has left her—and the running world—still in shock.

The teenager claimed the Ireland women’s national marathon title, clocking 2:34:12, a personal best improvement of about nine minutes from her first marathon in April. (Limerick Leader)

Her result was all the more astonishing given that she only began competitive running this year and that this was only her third attempt at the 42.195 km distance. (Limerick Leader)

From Casual Runner to National Champion

Crean’s entry into the marathon world was unconventional.

She had dabbled in sports like mountain climbing, karate and camogie during her youth, but only turned seriously to running during the pandemic. (EssentiallySports)

Her first marathon in Manchester this past April had modest goals—but she surprised herself by finishing in 2:49 and realised she might be capable of far more. (EssentiallySports)

Fast-forward six months and Crean lined up in Dublin not as a seasoned marathoner but as a young talent with potential.

She raced with poise: she passed the half-marathon (21.1 km) split at 1:17:12, stalking veteran champion Ann-Marie McGlynn.

Then by the 35 km mark she pulled away, creating a 70-second lead and holding on to win the national title even while finishing sixth overall in the women’s field. (Limerick Leader)

After crossing the line, her disbelief was palpable: “From the third kilometre I was like, ‘How am I supposed to keep this pace?’ …

With ten kilometres to go, my legs seized up. I couldn’t even believe it until I saw the finish line.” (EssentiallySports)

Why It’s So Extraordinary

There are several factors that make Crean’s achievement remarkable:

• Early stage of her career: With only months of structured training and very few marathons—the Dublin race being her third marathon attempt—she out-performed runners with far more experience.

• Major personal best: Cutting approximately nine minutes off her previous best is a huge leap at this level.

• National title at age 19: Capturing a senior national marathon title as a teenager is rare in Irish distance running.

• Strong competition: She edged out seasoned competitors including the two-time national champion Ann-Marie McGlynn. (Limerick Leader)

“Still in Shock” — What That Looks Like

Crean’s own words and the reaction around her capture the sense of amazement:

“I still can’t believe it.” (The Sun)

Track analysts and her hometown of Limerick were equally stunned: running insiders said she “ran it like she’d been there all her life.” (EssentiallySports)

Limerick Councillor Elisa O’Donovan summarised it simply: “Unreal win by Ava Crean… We are all so proud of her.” (EssentiallySports)

For Crean, the shock isn’t just about winning—it’s about discovering what she’s capable of:

“I was getting cramps here and there but I kept pushing.” (EssentiallySports)

Running a marathon is already a test of physical endurance and mental grit; to do it and at the same time to win a national title at 19 means Crean has far exceeded expectations—her own and others’.

What’s Next for Her?

While this victory is a monumental milestone, it also opens up new questions and possibilities:

• Goal-setting: She said she doesn’t want to “go above” this result immediately—suggesting a measured, thoughtful next step. (EssentiallySports)

• Fresh targets: After such a breakthrough, part of the challenge is maintaining momentum without burning out.

• Experts emphasise the risk of the post-marathon blues—a phenomena where runners feel let down after the big event. (Confidence Fit)

• Development path: With her massively improved time, the broader world of international competition may open up: perhaps major city marathons, half-marathons, or international championships.

The Bigger Picture

Crean’s story resonates because it touches on several universal themes:

• Rapid transformation: She went from a relative running novice earlier this year to national champ in months.

• Under-dog triumph: Without the years of marathon experience many of her rivals had, she proved that talent, commitment and belief still matter.

• Youth lifting the standard: Her performance raises the bar for young Irish distance runners and signals that there may be more to come.

Her achievement is more than a headline—it’s a statement.

It speaks to what can happen when potential meets opportunity, and when persistence meets preparation.

Final Thoughts

Ava Crean is still in shock because her story defies easy expectation.

At 19, in her third marathon, winning a national title and resetting her own benchmarks so sharply—this is rare.

The shock is real, not just because of the numbers, but because it challenges how we think about when greatness can arrive.

But while the moment is extraordinary, it’s also just the beginning.

The key now will be how she harnesses this leap forward—how she recovers, how she plans, how she continues to grow.

If this race was her wake-up call, then what comes next may well surprise us even more.

Congratulations to Ava Crean—for dreaming big, running hard, and showing that sometimes, the best stories begin when you least expect them.