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DCU graduate, Linda Byrne, completes the Dublin Marathon in under 2:37

DCU graduate, Linda Byrne, completed the National Lottery Dublin Marathon in 2:36.21, inside the Olympic A standard of 2:37.

The DSD runner had shown a lot of promise through jjunior and Under 23 ranks, but her career took a dip after that. "I lost a bit of confidence for a while, but I have had great support from my family and friends and also my coach, Enda Fitzpatrick" she said. "I have also found Marathon Mission - the support plan set up by the Dublin Marathon and Athletics Ireland-to have been of great assistance"" she said.

Byrne ran a sensibly paced race and only found the going really tough in the final six miles. "The crowd support along the marathon route was brilliant and it was only after 20 miles that I began to really feel the pressure," she said.

Byrne's DSD team mate, Ava Hutchinson, was the early challenger for the national title, but it was Byrne's sensible pace that paid the biggest dividend on the day. Maria McCambridge of Letterkenny A.C, who was considered favourite to take the national title, struggled in the second half of the race and took the silver medal in 2:40.24- well outside her best. Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast A.C) took the bronze medal in 2:42.43.