Who is Sean Bell?
Sean Bell is a Keynote Speaker, Endurance Athlete and Online Running Coach, whose life was forever changed when his football teammate passed away unexpectedly at 18. This experience taught Sean how precious life is and therefore the value of chasing his dreams and living life to the fullest. Running initially helped Sean cope with his grief, but it soon evolved into a passion that he could use to inspire and help others.
Since completing his first marathon in October 2017, Sean has been on a mission to see how far he can go. In September 2018, Sean with the support of his running coach Jase Cronshaw, set the goal to one day run around Australia for charity. Jase recommended that Sean train for this goal over several years to prepare for the significant demands that would be put on his body and mind.
From September 2018 - April 2022, Sean and Jase worked together for Sean to achieve several running feats such as 50 marathons in 50 days (2019), winning the 2019 Bali Hope Ultra, completing multiple 24-hour runs and a 4,000km run from Cairns to Melbourne. Devastatingly, tragedy struck Sean on day 7 of his Cairns to Melbourne run, when he learned about the sudden passing of coach Jase. Sean showed his resilience as he pushed on with his run every day despite significant grief and pain.
The year following Jase’s passing, Sean coached himself to prepare for Coburg 24 Hour where he ran a huge personal best; 201.6km, before working with another coach, Joe Ward for the final 11 months of preparation for and during the 5.5 months of his run around Australia.
Fast forward almost 6 years since Sean and Jase’s initial conversation, on August 15th, 2024, at 8:26PM Australian Central Standard time, Sean became the fastest person to run around Australia, completing the required 13,383km in just 158 days, 14 hours and 52 minutes.
🎥 Some of the toughest moments of Sean’s run around Australia.
Sean with run around Aus support crew members Victor (far left), Lachie (left), and Craig (right).
Sean with his girlfriend Chloe (left) and mum Lauren (right).
Empowering businesses and teams to Giddy Up and level up their lives
Sean’s Racing History
BVRT 200 Miler (2023)
Sean finished in 1st place out of 6 participants, with a time of 53 hours, 30 minutes, and 39 seconds. Sean’s first ever 200 miler was a big success.
”I had a great time running with my mate Jordan Chenery before he unfortunately DNF’d 202km in. From 202k to 326km (finish), I ran alone and took first place with 85km to go.”
Coburg 24 Hour Track Run (2023)
Sean finished in 6th place out of 43 participants, with a distance of 201.627km across the 24 hours. This race had brutal conditions with 70ml of rain overnight.
”I loved pushing my limits alongside some amazing runners who helped me achieve my 200km goal. This was a huge (20km) PB on my previous 24 hour run in 2021.”
Beerwah at Night Trail Half Marathon (2023)
Sean finished in 5th place out of 188 participants, with a time of 1:48:46.
”I raced this event with a bunch of friends from the Salt Social Run Club on the Gold Coast. Starting the race just before sunset and then racing through the night was an epic experience. I can’t wait to do it again!”
Two Bays Trail 56km (2022)
Sean finished in 16th place out of 245 participants, with a time of 5:07:33. This was a great day. The Two Bays community is amazing and the atmosphere is always electric.
”I went too hard in the first 28km and paid for it in the second half. I’m hungry to go back for redemption when I can to hunt down a sub 5 hour finish!”
Hut2Hut Trail 100km (2021)
Due to COVID and coming out of a Melbourne 5-day snap lockdown just 2 days before the race, the 100k race was moved to back-to-back 54km races with 2,600m of elevation gain per day (Archies course) on Friday and Saturday, because the race directors didn’t have enough time to safely set up the 100km course.
”I ran this race alongside my mate Cody and finished in 12th place out of 39 participants, with a total time of 15:18:11 across the 2 days. I am keen to complete this race again when I can to truly achieve the 100km Hut2Hut belt buckle!”
Melbourne Marathon (2017)
Sean’s first marathon. Sean completed the marathon in 3:28:11. This event changed the trajectory of his life.
”I loved all the highs and the lows that came within the 42.195km and knew at the moment I crossed the finish line, this was just the beginning for me!”
Running Events for Charity
50 Marathons
in 50 Days
2,110kms to honour his friend
and make a difference
On February 22, 2019,
Sean completed
50 Marathons in 50 Days
at just 21 years old
Uniting a
community
“My favourite part about the 50 in 50 was helping other people achieve their own personal bests”
Great Ocean Rd Ultra
In May 2018, Sean ran his first Ultra Marathon; a 60km race in the Great Ocean Rd Running Festival.
This was his first experience running for a cause greater than himself. He supported Dardi Munwurro, an indigenous Men’s Youth Journey’s Program. Sean was a volunteer for the youth group which guides and supports young men to become leaders of their families and communities.
”I loved the experience. The biggest thing I learnt from this race was how much further I can push myself when I run for something bigger than me.”
Bali Hope Ultra
In May 2019, Sean ran in the Bali Hope Ultra Marathon, an 84.9km, overnight run across the entire island of Bali, Indonesia.
20 runners came together from all over the world to make a difference for the disadvantaged children of Pedawa, Northern Bali. Collectively, the runners fundraised $165,000AUD, for the Bali Children Foundation, helping put 460 children through 6 years of primary school.
The race began in Lovina (Northern Bali) and finished in Canggu (Southern Bali).
Sean finished 1st, conquering the 84km run with 1776m elevation, in 8 hours, 14 minutes and 42 seconds.
“It was so much more than a race. The school visit was my favourite day. It put everything we have in Australia into perspective. Seeing how happy the Balinese kids were with so little, just kicking around a soccer ball, was a reminder that we should all be cherishing more of the small, beautiful things in life.”
24 Hour Run #1
From 7am July 27, until 7am July 28, 2019, Sean ran for 24 hours around the Vermont Football club oval.
He ran a total distance of 170.2kms, the equivalent of 4 marathons in one day.
This was the 2nd event of his Jog for Joey campaign, raising money and awareness for The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Charity. This run helped bring the fundraising total to $30,000, and further increased awareness of the incredible work that TCF do, supporting grieving families.
His message with the run was 24 hours of pain running, does not compare to the pain that bereaved families feel every day without their lost loved one.
24 Hour Run #2
From 3pm May 30, until 3pm May 31, 2020, Sean ran for 24 hours in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.
He ran a total distance of 181.4kms.
Sean was going to be running across Bali again on this night for the Bali Hope Ultra, however the event was cancelled due to COVID-19. When he found out that 80% of people lost their jobs in Bali due to no tourism, he wanted to help make a difference, so he joined the Bali Hope Challenge..
His effort raised a further $2,500 for the Bali Children Foundation, supporting families devastated by the COVID-19 crisis. This helped Balinese families receive basic needs such as food and soap.
4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours
In late 2021, Sean took on the David Goggins Challenge; running 4 miles (6.4km) every 4 hours, for 48 hours.
With a big heart, tired legs and broken sleep, Sean’s goal was to get faster with each run. His last 4 mile run was at a 3:38min/km pace alongside his good friend Dan Beard, to make sure he left it all out there!
At a time when COVID-19 had devastated Bali, Sean and a few friends collectively fundraised $25,000 for the Bali Children Foundation.
Making a difference
To date, Sean has fundraised $277,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia.
“We are incredibly grateful to Sean for his support. His momentous efforts will go towards making more wishes come true, while encouraging sick kids to dream bigger and to believe that anything is possible.”
Read the full article here
Sally Bateman
-Make-A-Wish Australia CEO
Sean has also fundraised $20,000 for the Bali Children Foundation
“Sean Bell is an exceptional young man who has developed his running and his empathy to an extraordinary extent. His work for the disadvantaged and those suffering distress has been dedicated, consistent and effective. We cannot wait to see what he does next.”
Marg Barry
-Bali Children Foundation Founder
