Sean Bell is a Keynote Speaker, Australian Ultra Runner 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, 16 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 finishing his run around Australia at the MCG on August 22nd, 2024
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.”
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.”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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
In May 2018, Sean completed his first ultra marathon, a 60km race at the Great Ocean Road Running Festival.
Running for Dardi Munwurro, he experienced what it meant to push beyond his limits for something greater than himself.
“I loved the experience. The biggest lesson was realizing how much further I can push myself when I run for something bigger than me.”
n May 2019, Sean ran the Bali Hope Ultra Marathon, an 84.9km overnight race across the island.
He placed 1st while helping raise $165,000 for the Bali Children Foundation, supporting 460 children through six years of school.
“It was more than a race. It put everything into perspective and reminded me to value the small, meaningful things in life.”
In July 2019, Sean ran for 24 hours around the Vermont Football Club oval, covering 170.2km.
This was part of his Jog for Joey campaign, raising $30,000 for The Compassionate Friends, supporting grieving families.
His message was simple: one day of physical pain does not compare to the lasting pain of loss.
In May 2020, Sean ran 181.4km over 24 hours in Melbourne after the Bali Hope Ultra was cancelled.
Through the Bali Hope Challenge, he raised $2,500 for the Bali Children Foundation, helping families affected by COVID-19 with essential supplies.
n late 2021, Sean completed the David Goggins Challenge, running 6.4km every 4 hours for 48 hours.
Finishing strong with a 3:38/km pace on his final run, he and his team raised $25,000 for the Bali Children Foundation during the COVID-19 crisis.
“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.”
Sally Bateman
-Make-A-Wish Australia CEO
“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
Sean Bell is the fastest known person to have run around Australia, verified by Fastest Know Time (FKT). Today, he is a keynote speaker and online run coach, helping individuals and teams build resilience, take ownership and win their own run within.