Freya Murray leaves Pavey trailing at the Great Ireland Run

SCOT Freya Murray powered to victory in the 10 kilometre SPAR Great Ireland Run yesterday, bursting clear in the final 2.5km to win in 32 minutes and 30 seconds, 15 seconds clear of Olympian Jo Pavey.

The Edinburgh runner was overjoyed with her Dublin victory ahead of Pavey and Australia's former world cross country champion Benita Willis.

"I felt good," said the UK cross country champion. "Jo went for it from the start. She opened a little gap and I sat in until we reached seven-and-a-half kilometres and an uphill stretch when I managed to pull her in and get clear."

Murray paid tribute to the coaching of US-based British marathon record holder Steve Jones. "He's been inspirational with his advice.

"This is only my third 10km race and I've won all of them," she said.

Pavey, who gave birth to son Jacob last September, had planned to make her international comeback at next month's BUPA Great Manchester Run, but stepped in as a replacement when European cross country champion Hayley Yelling-Higham withdrew due to illness.

She was more than happy with her second-place finish and said: "I'm really pleased, particularly as I was asked at the last minute to run."

Pavey plans to turn her attention to the track after Manchester and hopes to make the Great Britain team for the European Championships which start in July. In the men's event, Martin Fagan made up for the disappointment of placing third 12 months ago by becoming the first Irish winner of the event in 29 minutes 17 seconds.

With several overseas athletes non-starters because of the restriction on air travel due to the volcanic ash cloud, he led a domestic sweep of the medals. Gary Thornton took second and Andrew Ledwith third.