Cystic Fibrosis sufferer runs through the pain barrier to complete Milan marathon

A YOUNG Navan athlete with Cystic Fibrosis who travelled to Italy in a bid to break a sporting world record says taking part in the event was a privilege. 
 Evan Scully (32), finished the Generali Milano, a 26-mile marathon in an impressive time of three hours and 15 minutes. Already the current European record holder for a person with CF, Evan was hoping to break the world record of two hours 43 minutes in Milan but says that an injury stopped him from achieving his goal.

 “I did it in three hours 15 which was slower than my last marathon. The three weeks leading up to it were far from ideal, I only trained four times because I was having trouble with my Achilles. Realistically I probably shouldn't have run but there was no way that I was going to back out. As soon as the gun was sounded, I was feeling pain right up until it ended. 

 “I'm disappointed that I didn't achieve the world record but I'm delighted that I finished. Under Armour was my sponsor and looked after me during my time in Milan. it has been a huge privilege and honour. I'm still trying to take it all in.

 Evan was diagnosed with CF as a baby with doctors telling his parents he would not live to see his teens. He has certainly defied the odds and refuses to be defined by his condition. 
 When asked what challenges someone with CF faces whilst competing in sporting competitions, he says he's unsure as he has only ever lived in his body but comments that not accepting limitations and inspiring others to follow their dreams is what makes him so determined.

 “I don't know any different, I've grown up with CF, I don't stand on the start line and think I have CF, that's the last thing on my mind. When I'm trying to drive myself over the line I start to think, why I am doing this? I want to show people with CF that you can live a full life and do all of the things that people without CF can do like run a marathon. 

 “During my last marathon in Dublin there came a point where I was struggling and as I was running past St Vincent's Hospital, the main hospital for CF, I thought no matter how bad I'm feeling now, I'm not in there.

“The fact that I ran this marathon with compromised lungs and a compromised Achilles shows that you can do anything you set your mind to.”