Galway Harriers AC runner Maebh Brannigan finished second in the women's field at the Dublin City Half Marathon last Sunday.
Maebh finished with a personal best time of 74.47 in a highly competitive women's elite field. She finished behind course record breaker Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill of West Limerick AC and ahead of Parnell AC's Sheila O'Byrne.
The feat is all the more special for the 28-year-old after she missed out on competing last year through injury. A former 800m track runner, she is making a breakthrough on the road. This event was all about proving she belonged at this level.
Smashing her PB by 30 seconds was an emotional moment for Maebh.
"I got a PB by 30 seconds and it’s the best day ever, honestly I’m so emotional and so proud of myself," said Brannigan post race.
"This meant a lot because I feel I’m finally at the point where I can compete with the best and can be recognised as an elite Irish runner. This was such a brilliant event, it’s fantastic."
Dealing with setbacks has made Maebh a resilient character. Sunday's podium finish was confirmation that she can hold her own with Ireland's elite road runners.
"I’ve been an underdog for so long. It wasn’t working. On my hand I’d written ‘You’re just as good as the rest’ to give myself that encouragement and credit for being here," she explained.
Taking her place on the podium alongside Nic Dhomhnaill and O’Byrne, the moment felt surreal for the Galway city native.
"I’ve never been running these times or making podiums before, it just wasn’t clicking, it just took time. But I’m at the point now where I feel I can be regarded as worth competing against and this means so much to me."
