Uncategorised Archives - Sean Bell Runs

My Journey From A Football Bench Warmer to a Running World Record Holder

You don’t run on entire lap around Australia and not reflect on the journey. I’ve created a 1.5 hour podcast that dives deep into my journey for those who love to watch or listen. And for those who love to read, I’ve tried to summarise such a huge journey into a blog post for you.

This is my story; how being a football warmer in 2014, drove me to become the person that I am today, and how my first marathon culminated in running around Australia.

Running has always been there for me
Don’t let anyone tell you that running is just about putting one foot in front of the other. If you’re like me, you know that running can be one of the greatest support pillars in your life. Running has always been more than just a sport to me—it’s been my anchor, my teacher, and my path to growth. In as simple words as I can put it: It has changed my life for the better.
Running has shown me that incredible things are possible if you’re willing to work for them.

20 years have gone by and my love for running has only deepened.

My First Marathon
In October 2017, I ran my first marathon. At the time, I had no idea how much that one event would shape the rest of my life. Crossing that finish line wasn’t just about completing 42 kilometres – it was about proving to myself that I could achieve something I once thought was impossible. That day planted a seed in me, one that would grow into a deep passion for running, self-improvement, and inspiring others to chase their own personal and professional goals.

A Bold Vision: Announcing the Run Around Australia
In April, 2018, I announced a ridiculous goal to the world; that in the future (2021) I would run around Australia. After losing my friend and football teammate in 2016, I wanted to honour him by running around the country and raising money for charity.
I knew it was ambitious, I mean seriously, I’d only run 1 marathon at the time, and was training for another 60km Ultra (The Great Ocean Rd 60k Ultra), so it was fair enough for people to tell me it was impossible. I just had this belief within me that if I respected the journey enough to give it years of preparation, compounded with relentless hard work, I could make it happen. I craved a challenge that would push me to my physical and mental limits, directly help others through charity, and indirectly inspire others along the way. All I ever wanted growing up was to be an athlete, and that dream has never left me. So, I became a man on a mission to find people who had walked the path before me, with an attitude of never-ending learning. As a young 20-year-old with a dream, I reached out to Samantha Gash (who had run back-to-back ultra-marathons across India for World Vision), Dave Alley (the previous record holder before me for the fastest run around Australia – running the required 13,383km in 169 days, 15 hours and 31 minutes, at a staggering average of 79.5k per day) Matt Daniels (who had run 55 marathons in 55 days, and 535 half marathons in 535 half days) and Jase and DJ, who became my coaches (mostly Jase – they were partners, but it was Jase who I worked with day-to-day). These individuals taught me the importance of preparation, resilience, and unwavering belief in a vision. I give them so much credit because I simply wouldn’t be who I am today without them, and it was their generosity and insights, coupled with my relentless dedication over 6 years, that allowed me to shine in my run around Australia.

Meeting Dave for the first time in August, 2018.

Personal Running Goals: A Journey of Never-Ending Improvement
While this was unknown to me until a couple of years ago, ultimately, my journey followed the Japanese philosophy Kaizen, which involves ‘the commitment to make small, incremental changes that lead to big improvements over time.’

This blog post would be too long to go through everything, which is why I created the podcast sharing my journey so far. As an overview, this is what my journey has looked like since I made the commitment to one day run around Aus, back in 2018:

May 2018: 60KM Great Ocean Road Ultra – My First Ultramarathon.
Jan- Feb 2019: 50 Marathons in 50 Days.
May 2019: 84KM Bali Hope Ultra (Winner in 8 Hours, 14 Minutes, 42 Seconds).
July 2019: 24 Hour Run 1: 170.20km.
May 2020: 24 Hour Run 2: 181.48km.
Feb 2021: Hut2Hut 100km Ultra (which became 2 x 54km Ultras back to back due to Covid).
June 2024: Run For Wishes Trial Run (4 x 60km days back to back at Wilson’s Prom).
October 2021: 4 x 4 x 48 Goggins Challenge.
January 2022: Two Bays 56km Ultra.
April – June 2022: Cairns to Melbourne Run For Wishes – 4001km in 60 days. This was a COVID backstop when I realised it wouldn’t be possible to run around Australia in 2021.
Jan 2023: Beerwah At Night Half Marathon.
April 2023: 24 Hour Run 3: 201.62km.
May 2023: 106km Across Bali supporting runners through the Bali Hope Ultra.
June 2023: BVRT 200 Mile Ultra (Winner in 53 Hours, 21 Minutes and 37 Seconds).
And many other half-marathons, marathons, and ultras along the way, either supporting the athletes I coach, or as training runs. To dive deeper into the races and trial events that helped prepare for the run around Australia, click here to read more.

Work: Becoming a Coach
As I worked toward my own running goals, I felt a growing desire to help others achieve theirs. With a solid foundation in exercise science, earned through my Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science in 2018, I began my career as a Personal Trainer in early 2019. By late 2019, it was a natural progression to transition into run coaching, supported by completing a Level 1 Recreational Running course with Athletics Australia. From there, I learned from Jase daily, and as my knowledge deepened, so did my passion for coaching. Then, in 2022 I obtained my Level 2 Recreational Running Coaching qualifications through Athletics Australia, and now have the skills to be able to tailor training programs to an individual; based on their goals, fitness background, lifestyle etc.

Key Moments Over My Journey

The journey to running around Australia has been so much more than a physical challenge. It was a series of moments that tested my resilience, taught me invaluable lessons, and reinforced to me how precious life is. Here are some of the most impactful moments:

April 2022: On Day 7 of my Cairns to Melbourne run, I received the devastating news of the sudden loss of my coach, business partner, and close friend, Jase. Losing someone you love is never easy, and it was even harder while running ultramarathons daily. I reminded myself that I wouldn’t be out there running for wishes if it weren’t for Jase’s guidance and support. With that in mind, I gritted my teeth and kept going. His loss was a powerful reminder of how short life can be, reinforcing the importance of pursuing our passions, playing to our strengths, and helping others along the way. I turned my pain into purpose.
June 2023: Winning the BVRT 200 Miler was huge for me. It was when I truly knew within myself that I was ready to run around Australia. For all these years I believed that I could, but after winning a 200-mile / 322km (non-stop) race, where my goal was to simply go the distance, I genuinely knew that I could do it, and that was a beautiful feeling.

January 2024: Just seven weeks before the biggest event of my life, I developed a tibial stress fracture. Years of preparation were suddenly at risk. I was terrified as I couldn’t change the start date, but I had to have blind faith that come March 10th, 2024, I would be ready. With the help of my team and relentless grit, I found a way to recover and press on.

April 2024: On Day 2 of the run around Australia, I faced brutal 39°C heat and threw up twice by 5:30 am. I thought how the F&*K am I going to do this? I overcame those feelings by breaking that day down into manageable 5–6-kilometre segments, which formed a solid formula for some of the other brutal days to come.
June 2024: On Day 82 around Kununurra, WA, I accidentally missed a key left turn to stay on the A1 National Hwy, and accidentally continued running straight towards Wyndham. That misstep cost me 57.8 kilometres that day – I ran 28.9km the wrong way before realising my mistake and ran another 28.9km to get back on course. It was a humbling reminder that sometimes no matter how prepared you are, things can still go wrong.
Nausea was a constant battle: Over the 174 days of running (166 around mainland Australia and another 8 down and back up Tasmania), I threw up on approximately 140 of them. Every single day, I made the choice to keep moving forward. My purpose—honour my coach, my football teammate, and run for Make-A-Wish-Australia to help sick kids achieve their number one wish.

Crossing the Finish Line: The MCGReaching the finish line at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was a moment I’ll never forget. It was the culmination of years of work, sacrifice, and belief—not just in myself, but in the power of a community united by purpose. Pure elation is the only way I can describe it. ‘Giddy up’ chants began outside the MCG, and it was amazing to feel the impact I had on other people’s lives by putting it all on the line. I hope my run inspired those following along to chase their own personal and professional dreams.

The Cost of the Journey

Every journey has its price, and for me, the physical toll of running around Australia is bigger than I imagined. I knew I wasn’t going to get out the other side scot-free, but I also didn’t envision I would develop Freiberg’s infraction, or Freiberg’s disease, which is a serious and nasty bone injury of the foot. To run a total of 14,530km from March 10th to September 3rd, 2024, is insane looking back. When I was in it, I just reminded myself how much I wanted every day, but when you look back now, it’s crazy to think that I had nearly done 3 years’ worth of running in 6 months (as a consistent ultra-runner I typically average 5,000km of running per year). It’s been 4.5 months now since I finished my Run For Wishes, and I am no-where near running. I’m still in limbo with the right direction to take with my foot – non-surgical or surgical and I expect to be out from running for many months to come. It sucks. It’s hard. But it’s all apart of the journey. It’s a reminder that everything in life – especially the big goals – come with a cost. Despite this, I wouldn’t change a thing. The lessons, the people, and the lives impacted along the way made it all worth it.

Work: Speaking: Giddy Up To Level Up Your Life
Running around Australia in record time wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a test of mindset, resilience, and teamwork – the same principles I bring to corporate audiences through my speaking. I’m back on the speaking circuit with a powerful message: “Giddy up to level up your life.”
For me, giddy up meant running around Australia in record time. For your team, it might mean achieving something they’ve been putting off: improving health, upskilling for a promotion, or breaking through personal barriers. Wherever they’re at on their journey, I’m here to help your team: Set powerful goals, grow, take extreme ownership, build resilience, harness teamwork, cultivate a high-performance mindset, and ultimately, live a life they’re proud of—professionally and personally.
Read more on LinkedIn – Click here

Work: A New Chapter – Sean Bell Run Coaching:

What started as First42K continues to evolve. In April 2021, I launched First42K with Jase and DJ to help people run their first marathon. Over the past three years, we’ve supported over 100 runners in achieving their goals. After my recent run around Australia, in November 2024, DJ and I rebranded to JDS Run Coaching, representing “Joy, Discipline, and Success.” This name also paid tribute to Jase, as JDS stood for Jase, DJ, and Sean.

On this podcast, I shared that my journey as an athlete has been shaped by incredible coaches and mentors. Now, recovering from running around Australia and focusing on helping others with their running, I’ve been seeking business mentors to help me grow and reach more people. And now, in January 2025, following advice from fitness business coaches, we’ve decided to rebrand again as Sean Bell Run Coaching. DJ remains an integral business partner, which is very important to me. However, the advice was that people follow people, not brands, and rebranding under my name would help us make the greatest impact. Our mission remains the same: to help people love running, grow with discipline, and achieve inevitable success. Whether it’s running a first 5K, marathon, chasing a PB, or tackling an ultra, coaching isn’t just about tailored plans and strategies – it’s about providing expert guidance and support to show people that with effort, they can achieve their goals and far more than they believe.

Why I Share My Story

My run around Australia journey has taught me that anyone can achieve extraordinary things with the right mindset, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the hard work. If I could go from a bench warmer to a world record holder in the space of 10 years, then you can achieve greatness too.
My story isn’t just about running; it’s about life. It’s about showing up every day, no matter how tough things get, and taking one step closer to your goal.

To anyone reading this: Start where you are and take it one step at a time. And when things get hard, remember your reasons why and keep on going.

Giddy up 🐎

1 September 2025/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Why I got involved in Sean’s project (Cairns to Melb run)

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Written by Zac Brygel – (Logistics member, Run for Wishes).
4, July, 2022.

“I’m not going to take a break when the kids don’t get a break from their suffering” – that was what Sean said to me when I asked him whether he’d be taking days off to rest during this barely believable 14,000km run around Australia. Here Sean was referring to the kids supported by Make-A-Wish® Australia – the foundation this run is raising funds for.

Anyone who knows Sean would agree that the comment above sums him up and will testify that he inspires people like virtually nobody else – through both his actions and words.

I had the privilege of first meeting Sean when we worked together on a School Camp in late February 2019. At the time I had just enjoyed my 23rd birthday a couple of days earlier, and I still felt pretty young with plenty of time ahead of me to achieve things. Yet then I met Sean who was just 21 years old, and who had just finished running 50 marathons in 50 days in support of The Compassionate Friends Victoria.

I was immediately amazed by the enormity of such an achievement – particularly considering Sean was just 21 years old. The maturity, persistence, and heart required to run 50 marathons in 50 days cannot be understated, and so I was suddenly hooked by Sean’s desire to help others through his athletic feats. It also made me realise that age is never an excuse; you are never too young or too old to chase your dreams, and help others.

So once I heard Sean was aiming to run around Australia, I wanted to jump on board, and help him achieve something significant which will inspire others to achieve their best – whilst raising money for the amazing Make-A-Wish® Australia.

Being a part of Sean’s Cairns to Melbourne this year was really special to me. I was with Sean from Cairns all the way to Mackay, before I had to return to Melbourne for work. It is hard to fathom that the run was a ‘rehearsal’ for his run around Australia. I shared some kilometres with him and helped him through some tough times, like navigating the loss of his coach Jase when he heard the news on day 7.

Sean’s efforts have inspired me to do better in my life, and if you follow his journey, I am sure he will inspire you to do the same.

Somewhere on the A1 National Hwy near Mackay!

End of day 11 on the A1 between Proserpine and Mackay

Zac running on the left of Sean in hot Innisfail, FNQ (35-degree heat) with local caravan park owner Cameron riding by our side.

“I can’t thank Zac enough for all his support and hard work. People often notice the runner at the front of feats like my Run for Wishes, but they don’t notice the team of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the project to life. Zac has helped me with getting permits from police and road traffic authorities (e.g Vic Roads & NSW Roads) and the route of the run. He is one of the kindest and most selfless people you will ever meet!”
– Sean Bell, Runner, Run for Wishes.

4 May 2025/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 7 – Home

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
June 29, 2022

[Image ID – Yuin land. The sunrise reflected off of the sand and water at Tathra beach.]Photos taken on Yuin, Kurnai, Boonwurrung, and Woiworung land.

He did it!

4,000 kilometres in 60 days.

On June 11, Sean completed his two-month running journey from Gimuy/Cairns to Naarm/Melbourne. Reflecting on the experience, it is difficult to grasp how someone could achieve such a bold challenge.

The donations have flooded in the tail-end of the run, obliterating the $60,000 target. We have now amassed over $100,000!

Donate here.

[Image ID – Kurnai land. Sean running and yelling on a gravel track.]

Final leg

A highlight of this trip has been discovering Australia’s hidden gems. We were privileged to see New South Wales’ south coast. The windy roads meandered through thick forests. On the other side, we would find pristine beaches and small towns perched on cliff faces over the sea.

[Yuin land. The sunrise over Tathra beach.]Victoria’s harsh winter weather met us at the border. Sean battled freezing cold hail and wind through most of Gippsland. Dry changes of clothes were thin with everything becoming saturated. Still, this failed to dampen the spirits with the finish line in sight.

[Image ID – Kurnai land. Jack warming up for his running stint with Sean.]

Seeking discomfort

It was difficult to gauge if Sean was on pace with his 60-day timeframe for most of the run. We worked to feel. This meant if Sean felt good, we would keep moving. It was a surprise in the last week to find out that we were three days ahead of schedule.

It would be understandable to think Sean would want to use this buffer to cruise home with some easier days. That isn’t the way Sean thinks. The running man used this as an opportunity to challenge himself further. He reset his goal to 4,000 kilometres altering his daily average home from sub-60 to over 70 kilometres a day.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Sean refuelling at a pitstop in Yarra Bend Park.]

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. A group of Sean’s friends and family posing for a photo on the MCG grass following a run around the oval.]

DJ arranged for a small group of us to run two laps on the MCG’s hallowed turf. News crews met us at the top of the players’ races. As we emerged out of the tunnel, a special video surprised us on the scoreboard. DJ created a ten-minute piece mixed with messages of himself and clips from Sean’s run. The final part of the video caused everyone to stop in their tracks. DJ included a moving audio clip from 2019 of late coach Jase Cronshaw speaking highly of Sean.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Sean leaning on the goal post watching the final section of DJ’s video.]Meeting a person like DJ brings out the best in you. He leads by example, motivating you to do more for the people you care about.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Sean video calling DJ after his video and laps around the MCG.]**Homecoming**A superhuman effort calls for celebration. We were met with two incredible homecomings in Naarm/Melbourne at the Make-A-Wish Australia office and the Vermont Football Club.The Make-A-Wish Australia office welcomed us with balloons and donuts. All the staff made the effort to dress up in loud activewear. It was humbling to meet the people that turn the donations into life-changing experiences.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Max, Sean, Alyssa and the Make-A-Wish Australia office at Sean’s celebration visit.]

In Vermont, the whole suburb turned up to cheer Sean home. It was amazing to see everyone that contributed to the run and all the people connected to the cause. Gatherings like this reveal how many people play a pivotal role to make these challenges happen.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Max and Sean listening to the speeches on the homecoming night. Sean is eating a pizza.]

Passing Moments

Travelling through familiar streets on the final day felt strange. Home seemed like another town we were passing through. The habit of constantly moving made it difficult to believe that we could stop.

For two months we have been living in a bubble. The outside world barely affected us. We were in an alternate reality of seven-kilometre pitstops. Some parts felt long, others as if we were never going to reach the end. Now, it feels like it went in a flash.

[Image ID – Kurnai land. The sunset reflecting off of the motorhome.]It is bizarre how fast life moves. You grind to build up to something you want to do, it happens, and then you move on to the next thing. This impermanence can feel scary. Experiences like this allow you to find the beauty inside.

[Image ID – Kurnai Land. Rien posing for a photo after a post-run swim at sunset at Mallacoota beach.]The time we have here is so precious. Let this project steer you to believe that anything is possible. Trust me, I just watched a guy run across the country. The Run for Wishes may be over for now, but the legacy will live on.

[Image ID – Kurnai land. The sun reflecting off of the sea at Mallacoota Wharf.]

Thank you to everyone that made this run what it was. Without you, we wouldn’t have achieved the impossible.

[Image ID – Woiworung and Boonwurrung land. Sean showing off his muscles for his Herald Sun photo at the MCG.]

Some more photos from the last few weeks:

Yuin land

[Image ID – three images. 1 and 2: the sunrise reflecting off of the water at Tathra beach. 3: A windy A1 turn at first light in the morning.]

Woiworung and Boonwurrung land

[Image ID – three images from the Make-A-Wish Australia office. 1: Dublin the Dachshund. 2: Sean speaking to the Make-A-Wish Australia office in a Q&A with Megan and Guido on stage with him. 3: Sean standing in front of the thank you signage and balloons created by the Make-A-Wish Australia team.

4 July 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 6 – Two Dads

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
May 30, 2022

[Image ID – Biripi land. North Haven Beach just before sunrise.]Photos taken on Gumbainggir, Daingatti, Biripi, Worimi, Eora, Tharawal and Yuin land.

The days are blurring together. Sean has blitzed through New South Wales. The frosty mornings have called for the winter clothes to come out of storage. We have seen our first sign to Naarm/Melbourne.

We are into the final quarter of the Run for Wishes project. Sean is running in Yuin land and has raised $36,712.75 for Make-A-Wish Australia.

Donate here!

[Image ID – Yuin land. The back of the motorhome during sunrise.]

Two dads

Recruiting support crew for this project has been a mammoth task. We have been fortunate to have countless kind-hearted people sacrifice their time.

Attempting to craft the right crew dynamic in each section has been fun. In our last support crew rotation, we found it – two dads. Sean’s cousin, Liam, and fellow Bali Hope Ultra runner, Dale, flew up on day 31 to help in northern New South Wales. Liam and Dale are both fathers of two young children, so they have impressive levels of patience and get things done under sleep deprivation. They formed a lethal combination complimenting each other in every possible way.

[Image ID – Daingatti land. Two dads, Liam and Dale, celebrating the end of the day in Kempsey.]

Good rests have been hard to come by on this trip. With the two dads it was rare for us to be awake later than 8:30 PM. Sean and I are well rested and versed on dad jokes following their stint.

[Image ID – Daingatti land. Sean celebrating the end of day 34 in Kempsey with a CC.]

Coastline

The inland routes in Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales made swim stops tricky. After passing through Gumbainggir land in Coffs Harbour, we met the coastline. Pitstops and finishes next to rivers and beaches became a common occurrence.

[Image ID – Biripi land. A silhouette of Liam walking across the lovely ocean pools in New South Wales.]A swim breathes new life into your day. A full submersion underwater drowns out the external noise and allows you to reset.

[Image ID – Dale having a splash at a river stop in Daingatti land.]

Highway friends

We are having wholesome experiences on the side of the highway.

On the Pacific Highway in Worimi land near Hawks Nest, a man named Bobby stopped by to ask us what we were doing.

Bobby’s love for ultra-running connected him to Sean and the cause. His wife, Di, has her own remedial therapy business – Your Massage Therapist. Di kindly offered Sean a free massage at the end of the day with a box of protein bars. Bobby shared that this act of giving lifted his spirits after a difficult week.

[Image ID – Worimi land. Bobby, Sean, Di and their dog after Sean’s massage at Your Massage Therapist.]

Surprises

Further down the A1, Sean’s community have been finding special ways to surprise him. Victor and his partner Michelle bursted out of the bushes to deliver a mountain of donuts. Sean and Victor first met when he was completing his 50 marathons in 50 days. Victor was one of the regular runners that joined Sean across the 50 days.

Holidaying in New York, Victor secretly flew to Warrang/Sydney to surprise Sean. He and Michelle ran alongside Sean for the next three days.

[Image ID – Eora land. Victor, Sean and Michelle in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.]

The run into Warrang/Sydney was challenging. Endless undulating hills, thin shoulders, and cold, torrential rain filled the day. A friend of the crew, Chad, thought this would be the perfect day to spontaneously run his first marathon.

Sean and Chad met in 2019 during the Bali Hope Ultra. Their shared ambitions and mindsets instantly connected them. Chad had not run more than ten kilometres in the past three months nor over 30 kilometres in his life.

It was fascinating to see how far his mentality pushed him. As the rain pummelled down and the hills stood intimidatingly in front of him, Chad’s mood failed to drop. Every few minutes he would cry out a ‘yeehaw’, he would even attempt it whilst in the pain cave. Chad’s ability to lock-in on this day makes you wonder how Sean has been doing it for seven weeks.

[Image ID – Eora land. Chad smiling shortly after he finished his first marathon.]

Sean’s thousand-kilometre celebrations have been extravagant. They have consisted of dances, watermelon explosions, and video calls with DJ and Jacqui. For the 3,000 milestone, DJ and Jacqui wanted to be there with Sean. They surprised him with a highway party. There were costumes, champagne, and balloons all along the side of the A1. The festivities caught the eye of drivers passing by giving a few toots.

[Yuin land. Jacqui, Sean and DJ celebrating Sean’s 3,000km milestone.]

It is hard to believe that the next major milestone will be the Victorian border.

[Image ID – Biripi land. North Haven Beach just before sunrise.]

Some more photos from the past few weeks:

Gumbainggir land

[Image ID – Sean, Brad, and Anne after they delivered four days’ worth of food.]

Daingatti land

[Image ID – 3 images. 1: The clouds and a group of flying birds at sunset. 2: The sun reflecting off Kempsey bridge at sunrise. 3: Dale and his drone capturing Sean running across Kempsey bridge.]

Biripi land

[Image ID – Two images of North Haven Beach at sunrise. The first image features just the beach. 2 has a silhouette of Liam on the right-hand side.]

Eora land

[Image ID – 3 images. 1-2 are in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 1 features Sean and Max. 2 is of Alicia and Sean. 3 is of Jen and Sean.]

Tharawal land

[Image ID – the glistening water at Hyams beach.]

Yuin land

[Image ID – four images from Sean’s 3,000km highway party. 1: DJ putting on his T-Rex costume. 2: Jacqui taking a photo of Sean and DJ with his 3,000km balloons. 3: Jacqui smiling and having some champagne. 4: the 3,000km balloons floating next to the forest.]

30 May 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 5 – Adapting

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
May 15, 2022

[Image ID – Gubbi Gubbi land. An image of Sean, Madi and Chris having a swim at the ocean at sunset at Coolum Beach.]Photos taken on Gureng Gureng, Gubbi Gubbi, Gumbainggir, and Bundjalung land.

Welcome back to Motorhome Moments.

The motorhome is falling apart, yet everything is starting to come together. With every breaking part of the vehicle comes a fresh and more efficient way of doing things.

The support crew transitions are smooth. Chris, Madi and Lauren were all brilliant additions. They turned the motorhome into a palace leaving it in pristine condition.

It is day 33. Sean is in Gumbainggir land and has completed over 2,000 kilometres.

We have reached almost half the fundraising target with $25,333 in donations.

Donate here!

We love our Cameron’s

It is uncanny how much kindness we have received from people called Cameron.

Cameron McKay from August Moon Caravan Park continues to arrange our accommodation. He persists to make our lives easier, even when we tell him that it is okay for him to stop.

In Miriamvale, we crossed paths with their local police officer – Cameron Munro. Cameron and his partner Mahla have immersed in the ultra-running world. They even met for the first time in a race.

[Image ID – Gureng Gureng land. Cameron and Sean running on the side of the highway.]

In his uniform, Cameron joined Sean for a few kilometres on the highway. Cameron and Mahla invited us to their house after Sean finished running. They had prepared an ice bath and a smoothie upon arrival. Afterwards, Cameron organised a free pub meal and cabin for the crew.

[Image ID –Gureng Gureng land. Sean sitting in Cameron’s chest freezer ice bath.]

The next morning, Cameron joined Sean for 31 kilometres. It is fascinating watching people share a niche passion. Sean and Cameron traded running stories for hours. They would be so entertained talking about other runners and races.

[Image ID – Gureng Gureng land. Cameron looking at the Make-A-Wish signage on the motorhome.]**Lake Redbrook Caravan Park**

[Image ID – Gubbi Gubbi land. A photo of Gary, the owner of Lake Redbook Caravan Park, at night.]

Close to Childers at the back of their property, ‘Gaz’ and ‘Shaz’ built their own caravan park. Lake Redbrook Caravan Park is warm, friendly, and beaming with character. Gaz hired an excavator to dig a barramundi shaped watering hole that is visible on Google Maps.

The night we were passing through, the caravan park was full with a local skiing group. Thirty minutes before closing, Cameron from Innesfail notified them that we were in the area. The Lake Redrook team welcomed us in. They invited us to join their raffle night to speak about the trip. That night we raised $750 that night for Make-A-Wish. Gaz even gave us some of his homemade chilli sauce.

The generosity of strangers continues to outdo itself.

Fun detours

[Image ID – Gubbi Gubbi land. A photo of Motors Eumundi in the Glasshouse Mountains.]

The best places are the ones you never expect to see.

Dreaming about swimming in the ocean pulled us through the hard, arid days on the Bruce Highway. The Sunshine Coast was our first opportunity to swim in waters that were not stinger and crocodile infested.

Our hearts sank when the council permit made us bypass the Sunshine Coast on an inland route. Our pain soon subsided as we meandered through the Glasshouse Mountains.

[Image ID – Gubbi Gubbi land. Madi and Sean running on the side of the road in the Glasshouse Mountains.]

Hinterland towns with lively markets burst out of nowhere in the rainforest. A thick green dominated our surroundings as we looked out at vast vistas over the ranges.

[Image ID – Gubbi Gubbi land. The fog and rainforest in the morning in the Glasshouse Mountains.]

Fast moments

Time is flying.

It felt like yesterday we were in far north Queensland.

It has been difficult to capture and recount all the moments recently. The populated cities gave us the first chance to catch up with friends and family.

The team is feeling refreshed after our two-day break. We are looking forward to the New South Wales stretch along the coastline.

[Image ID – Bundjalung and Gumbainggir land. A frog shaped mailbox on the side of the road.]

More photos from the past couple of weeks:

Gubbi Gubbi land

[Image ID – five images. 1: Sean, Cameron and Mahla smiling next to the motorhome. 2: Cameron and Sean before they started running together in the morning. 3: Sean warming up his calves before he started running. 4: the twilight sky over Coolum beach. 5: Chris and Daz chatting on a balcony in front of a forest. 6: a large rock mountain in the Glasshouse Mountains area.]

Gumbainggir land

[Image ID – Three images. 1-2: images on the Grafton bridge. 1: Sean running along the bridge. 2: the bridge on its own. 3: Sean running along the streets of Grafton with large, leafy trees overhanging him.]

Bundjalung land

[Image ID – Two images from Killen Waterfall. 1: The waterfall. 2: Emma standing underneath the waterfall.]

15 May 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 4 – Grief

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
April 29, 2022

[Image ID – the sunset in Yuru and Giya land. The sun is setting behind a large hill and beaming orange over across the overcast sky.]

Photos taken on Yuru, Giya, Darumbul, Bindal, Wargamayan, and Yuwi land.

Welcome to the fourth instalment of Motorhome Moments.

No amount of planning would have prepared us for the week that has transpired. The sudden loss of beloved coach Jase Cronshaw has rocked the ultra-running community. The support crew was reduced to three creating more labour-intensive days. Despite this, the resilience of both Sean and the crew shone.

The weather and humidity are starting to ease. Sean is adapting to the long days on the road, and the systems in the motorhome are becoming more efficient.

19 days in, Sean is in Gureng Gureng land and has completed over 1,000 km.

We have reached $15,937.80 in donations, over a quarter into our $60,000 target.

Donate here!

[Image ID – Sean celebrating reaching 1,000 km on the Run for Wishes in Darumbul land. Sean is preparing to pop open a champagne bottle. 1,000 is spray painted on the road.]

Embracing imperfection

Over the first week, we placed pressure on ourselves to do things perfectly. It caused performance anxiety and stress amongst the group attempting to stay on top of everything.

This week we have embraced the imperfections. We surrendered ourselves to not knowing what each day will entail remaining flexible to what lies ahead.

[Image ID – Sean having a break in the shade in Bindal land. Sean is resting on the ground and leaning on the motorhome. The motorhome is casting a shadow over Sean. Sean is eating an icy pole.]

This has given the crew the chance to slow down. It is easy to be swept up by all the tasks that need to be done. Now, we are soaking up our surroundings and appreciating how lucky we are to be doing this. The presence has boosted the crew’s chemistry and morale.

[Image ID – the view outside the motorhome in Wargamayan land. The sun is shining through the clouds over the horizon, sea, grassland and inside of the motorhome.]

Looking up

The body clocks are synchronising to the 5 am wake ups. We are bouncing up with energy and can absorb the breathtaking sunrises before we run. The starts are early enough to see a star-filled night sky transition into daylight. On two occasions, we even saw Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn connect to form a straight line.

[Image ID – the night sky and silhouetted palm trees before sunrise in Yuru and Giya land. Daylight is beginning to burst through the sky. The planets Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn sparkling in a straight line in the sky.

Coach Cronshaw

One thing that draws people into ultra-running is the people. Jase Cronshaw epitomised that. Jase had a powerful journey of finding purpose through ultra-running. He used his wealth of knowledge and experience to service others. He helped people breakthrough perceived limitations they placed on themselves.

Jase forged a unique connection with everyone he met. Everyone that knew him had a story of him playing an important role in a pivotal part of their life. When you felt stressed and overwhelmed, he taught you how to remain calm and trust the process.

At the conclusion of Sean’s run on day seven, we were told the devastating news of Jase’s passing.

People have been handling the loss differently. The intensity of the run momentarily draws you away from this universe of grief. Once things become still, it surrounds you again and you cannot seem to find a way out.

It is a sign of a well-lived life by how many this is affecting. One can only imagine the pain that Jase’s close friends and family are experiencing.

[Image ID – Sean posing for a photo on following his run on day eight at sunset in Bindal land. The sky is a strong orange. Sean is holding his day eight race bib and is wearing his First42k singlet (the business he co-founded with Coach Cronshaw.]

Moving mountains

We have seen the best parts of humankind this week. People are moving mountains to help Sean through this difficult time patch of the trip.

First42k client, Pete ‘the Goat’ Kavanagh impulsively flew up from Melbourne to join the support crew for six days. Pete and Sean share a connection to Jase through the First42k program and the Bali Hope. They have been providing a soundboard to each other’s thoughts on the track and exchanging dance moves. Each run with the Goat, you can see Sean slowly returning to himself.

[Image ID – Peter having a laugh on the side of the road in Darumbul land.]

Mackay high school teacher, Emma Forster, was drawn to the experience from our Seven News piece. In her words, Emma wanted to ‘be less impressed, and more involved’. Her driven mindset, caring nature, and common intersts to the group has made her a seamless addition to the crew for five days.

Emma has used ultra-running to tribute her late father – ‘Curls’. On April 25th last year, she ran 70 km on what would have been Curls’ 70th birthday. It commends the type of person she is that she let us spend this day with her this year. On April 25th this year, Curls’ 71st birthday, Sean ran 71 km.

Ultra-running groupies

The Run for Wishes has caught the attention of the wider ultra-running community. The Mackay to Rockhampton section of the run was projected to be one of the hardest. Long stretches between towns, and few caravan parks and grocery stores.

Self-proclaimed ‘ultra-running groupie’, Brenda from Sarina contacted us to help us on this stretch. Brenda arranged a Mackay running store to supply Sean with things to overcome his hydration and blister issues.

[Image ID – Brenda and Sean running on the side of the highway in Yuwi land.]

She continued her generosity by organising the next two nights for us. On night one, Brenda and her partner, Norm, welcomed us into their home. Brenda researched an appropriate meal for our dietary requirements to make us a stunning shepherd’s pie dinner. The following night, she booked two cabins and a powered site for us at BarraCrab Caravan Park. The kindness of strangers continues to outdo itself on this trip.

[Image ID – Sean, Emma, Brenda, and Peter posing for a photo on Brenda’s property in Yuwi land. The sun is rising behind the group. Brenda’s dog, Archie, is standing in front of the group.]

Thank you to everyone that has sent through messages and called to check-in. Sean and the team feel incredibly lucky to be receiving this amount of support.

To close, we will leave with Jase’s signature sign-off:

“Don’t forget to stretch, hydrate and most importantly, be the reason that somebody else smiles today.”

[Image ID – Sean and Peter celebrating Sean reaching the 1,000 km mark on his run in Darumbul land. Sean and Peter are doing his famous dance.]

More photos from the week:

[Image ID – two images from Darumbul land celebrating Sean reaching 1000 km. 1: Peter smiling and pumping his fists.. 2: Sean pouring champagne on his head.

Yuru land

29 April 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 3 – Five Men in a Motorhome

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
April 18, 2022

[Image ID – Sean warming up before his run at sunrise on Wargamaygan land. The trees and Sean are silhouetted at the bottom of the image with the sky turning a beautiful orange.]

Photos were taken on Yidinjdji, Djirbalngan, and Wargamaygan land.

The Run for Wishes is officially underway!

We are currently eight days into Sean’s 60-day running journey in Bindal and Yuru land from Gimuy/Cairns to Naarm/Melbourne.

The donation count currently sits at $9,074.80.

Donate here!

Finding Rhythm

The consecutive 16-hour days have stretched the team. Each day has offered unique learning experiences as we understand priorities and what jobs need to be allocated when we are trailing Sean and at camp.

The fragrance of five grown men sharing a six-berth motorhome will stay with me long after this project is done. It was a two-day standoff to see who would christen the motorhome’s bathroom facilities. Once proceedings kicked off, the floodgates opened. The short-term volunteers are excited to come home to their partners.

[Image ID – The motorhome during sunrise on Wargamaygan land. Pictured is the motorhome with the Make-A-Wish Australia donation signage. Reflected on the windows is the sky showing a mixture of yellow/orange and blue/purple.]

Tropical North Queensland

It is hard to believe we are in the same country. The dense, tropical rainforests here are opposite to what we have in Naarm/Melbourne. On our day trip before the run and inching along the Bruce Highway, we have been surrounded by untouched mountains and rainforests. You could spend a lifetime exploring this country and see only a small fraction of it.

[Image ID – a section of the Crystal Cascades on Yidinjdji land. Featured through the trees is one of the many swimming spots along the walk.]

Free flow

The humidity and searing heat make a tough environment for running. It is fascinating to see how this has not deterred Sean. He always returns to the motorhome with a wide grin and is ready to laugh. You can see he is following his purpose and doing what makes him happy.

It is satisfying watching people lock into their free flow state. Both Yianni Griffiths and Guido Lopez have been focusing on their craft in the motorhome.

Yianni runs his own physiotherapy business – Eastern Health and Performance – with a key emphasis on strength and conditioning. Sean brought Yianni to help with the first week as he adapts to the load and formulates strong recovery habits. Yianni loves the problem solving of his role. He has a willingness to learn more about the human body and apply it to the issues his clients are facing.

[Image ID – Yianni giving Sean warm-up instructions on Wargamaygan land. Outside the motorhome is Sean completing a hip exercise with Yianni giving instructions from his bed inside the motorhome.]Guido is constructing the Run for Wishes documentary. He made the bold leap to leave a career in engineering to pursue photography and filmmaking. Once Guido gets behind the camera, it is clear he made the right decision. He always looks in control as he captures all the in-between moments in this constantly changing environment.

[Image ID – Guido capturing content with his camera during our day trip to the Crystal Cascades on Yidinjdji land. Guido is concentrating on holding the camera. Behind him is the beautiful backdrop in the national park.]

One thing leads to another

A First42k client of Sean’s set up a Channel 7 interview to spread the run’s awareness on day one. This has led to an overwhelming embrace by the Queensland locals. Every 15 minutes someone will drive past giving a honk of support or a fist in the air. Others will stop ahead and give whatever cash they have and water. It stuns me how a fete like this will draw together countless strangers.

[Image ID – Sean being interviewed on Channel 7 on the side of the road on Yidinjdji land. On the left is the Channel 7 cameraman filming Sean on the right. In the background is our motorhome.]

[Image ID – Zac, Sean, and Cameron on the Bruce Highway on Djirbalngan land. Zac and Sean are running on the left. Cameron is riding his bike on the right.]

Cameron embodies the Run for Wishes. His nomadic lifestyle and tragic understanding of life’s impermanence connect him to the cause. The way Cameron views the world and cares for others is infectious. It encourages you to self-reflect and think about how you can be a better person for others.

[Image ID – Cameron being interviewed at August Moon Caravan Park on Djirbalngan land. Cameron is smiling and wearing his caravan park uniform.]

More photos from the week:

Yidinjdji land

[Image ID – four images from Yidinjdji land. The first 3 photos are from the Crystal Cascades featuring Sean, Guido and Zac. The fourth image is of Sean warming up on day one on a pier.]

Djirbalngan land

Wargamaygan land

[Image ID – three images on Wargamaygan land. 1 and 2: the light reflecting off of the motorhome at sunrise. 3: a silhouette of Sean warming up at sunrise.]

18 April 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 2 – Sacrifice

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
April 3, 2022

[Image ID – Yorta Yorta land. A photo of the Strawberry Field’s festival grounds. In the distance are festival punters watching the sunset along the Dhungala/Murray River.]

Photos were taken on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta, Malpa, Jardwadjali and Djabwurung.

Greetings!

Welcome to the second edition of the ‘Motorhome Moments’ blog series. If this is your first time coming across this series, essentially it is another space to share the Run for Wishes story from the support crew’s perspective. Find the first edition here.

Two blogs in, this will be a rare post. It does not cover the encounters we experience within the motorhome. Instead, it will be introspective talking about the sacrifices taken for this trip.

It is necessary to highlight Sean’s dedication to this project first. His continuous drive despite endless setbacks with the pandemic, permits, funding, and his body is admirable. Nobody would criticise him for pulling out, but his inner monologue is relentless.

Melbourne romanticising

Everyone has those people in their circle whom they can instantaneously dive deep into conversation with when they see each other. I am lucky to have that with Sean.

A few weeks ago, we confessed the difficulties we are having leaving home. For context after the run, Sean’s moving to Gold Coast, and I am backpacking through Europe. We have always shared motivations to move, but now it feels hard.

It feels like Melbourne has rediscovered its groove. After a staggered two years, we can finally see loved ones as much as we please. You can even see people without talking about the pandemic!

Leaving felt effortless during the lockdowns. Other major Australian cities are warmer, had no restrictions, and possess ridiculous natural features.

[Image ID – New South Wales. Tharawal land. A photo of the large waterfall at Tahmoor gorge and people swimming in the watering hole.]

The consistent open patch we are in has made me realise that the people make Melbourne what it is. Festivals, sports, and other mass gatherings are back in full force. People are glowing and smiling. You can see a person and be confident that you can see them again soon.

There is a resistance to leaving this community, especially when things are going well.

[Image ID – Yorta Yorta land. A group photo of myself and my camping pals at the stage at Strawberry Fields.]

Big decisions

What we are feeling is natural. With any big decision, self-doubt creeps in. We are breaking away from stability into uncertainty. It is vulnerable but exciting.

For this run, Sean and the support crew have departed with opportunities that have moulded us into who we are today. Despite the appeal to stay, there is an urge to step into the unknown. We must follow our hearts, do something bigger than ourselves, and move along life’s thread whatever the outcome may be.

An idol of ours, Rich Roll, shares a quote in his book Finding Ultra that captures this feeling.

“Pursue what’s in your heart, and the universe will conspire to support you.”

[Image ID – Western Australia. Malpa land – the view of Lake Johnston from the campground at sunset.]

A few additional images from the past summer:

Yorta Yorta – Strawberry Fields Festival

[Image ID – Five images from Strawberry Fields Festival. 1: a weathered wooden piano at the Tea Lounge stage. 2: the setting sun beaming through the tall eucalyptus trees and kicked up dust. 3: In2stellar DJing at the main stage. 4: Emily and Jacob dancing at the main stage. 5: festival punters hanging out by the Dhungala/Murray River.]

[Image ID – two images from Pitch Music & Arts Festival at the Pitch Black stage during sunset for Handle’s set. 1: Handle on stage DJing. 2: The sunset reflecting on the doofsticks and silhouetted crowd dancing.]

3 April 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Speaking at Bali Children Foundation’s Annual Golf Day Fundraiser

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Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at the Bali Children Foundation’s Annual Golf Day Fundraiser which raised over $100,000. It was special to join Nick Riewoldt (AFL), Michael Bridges (EPL), and Russell Morris (AFL) as a guest speaker at the event.

The Bali Children Foundation is an amazing organisation that I will always proudly support. Over three events, The Bali Hope Ultra (an 84 km ultramarathon race across Bali in 2019), a 24-hour run (181kms in 2020), and the 4 x 4 x 48 challenge (4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours in 2021) I’ve personally raised close to $20k for the charity, which has had a significant impact on disadvantaged children and their families.

The Bali Hope Ultra in 2019 had 20 runners come together from all over the world 🌎 and collectively we fundraised $165,000, which put 460 children through 6 years of school 🏫 🧡

When COVID-19 hit the world in 2020 it devastated Bali due to a lack of tourism, which severely impacted Balinese families. Schools shut down and children were thrown into work to support their families. BCF’s goals changed from providing education opportunities to providing immediate food relief for families.

Participating in these 3 events has been life-changing for me. The Bali Hope Ultra in particular was one of the best weeks of my life. It put everything into perspective and taught me how lucky we are in Australia. On top of that, I developed and strengthened relationships with some of the most loving and inspiring people I know 💗 Big thanks to Tom Hickman for putting together such an amazing event and to Margaret Barry OAM DSJ and her team at BCF for all the incredible work they do.

Donate to or learn more about the Bali Children Foundation at https://bcfl.org.au and the Bali Hope Ultra at https://www.bali-hope.com

#Speaker #UltraRunner #BCF #BaliChildrenFoundation #BaliHope #education #grateful

19 March 2022/0 Comments/by Kieran Sukas

Motorhome Moments – 101

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Written by Max Reilly (Project Manager, Run for Wishes)
March 20, 2022

[Image ID – Sienna and Sean checking out the Wudjub-guyan/Hollow Mountain walk.]

Photos were taken on the traditional country of the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali, Gunditjamara, and Boon Wurrung and Gunai Kurnai people.

Hello!

Welcome to the first edition of the ‘Motorhome Moments’ blog series. My name is Max Reilly, and I am the ‘Project Manager’ for Sean Bell’s ‘Run for Wishes’. It is likely that you have stumbled across this by following Sean’s journey. If you are unfamiliar with the Run for Wishes project, in a nutshell, my friend Sean is running over 3,500 km from Cairns to Melbourne to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Australia.

I will give you a minute to comprehend that.

The intention of this series is to provide an added layer of behind-the-scenes content of this wild adventure from the perspective of the support crew. From mid-April, expect weekly instalments unpacking all the notable encounters and small moments from the experience with a set of photos.

Learning on the go

Deciding the right vehicle for this expedition has been challenging. What you see on social media of Sean’s training represents only a small fraction of the preparation he and his team have done for this trip. Unfortunately, risk management reports and council permits do not have the same social media appeal as his excruciating hill sprints.

In our first trial run last year, we learned that we were well out of our depth. Trailing a caravan with a 4WD was a constant struggle. We asked for help at every stop. Repeatedly, we were shown the warm kindness of strangers. It is amazing to see how quickly people will support another, especially when they are vulnerable.

[Image ID – The Big Drift at Yiruk/Wamoon/Wilson’s Prom. In the distance is a person in a red shirt amongst the wet sand formations.]

In February, we swapped the caravan for a motorhome. Immediately life felt easier. Living on the road for two months with a person on the verge of hospitable exhaustion will make time efficiency pivotal. The motorhome’s minimal setup will make a world of difference. Thank you to THL for the vehicle and their services. Their user-friendly tutorial app made our waste disposals slightly less comical.

[Image ID – Sean enjoying the hike up Wudjub-guyan/Hollow Mountain.]

Mixing work and play

The many reasons I have been drawn to supporting Sean on his run will be progressively unveiled over the course of this series.

I use my involvement in sport and health to give equal opportunities to communities in need. An aspiration of mine has been to mix this with travel and adventure.

The Run for Wishes project ticks all these boxes. In our trial runs alone we have already been able to see some of Australia’s most surreal landscapes.

[Image ID – People swimming at Little Blue Lake in Mount Gambier.]

It is the opportunity of a lifetime to travel with the purpose of supporting vulnerable families and sick children alongside your best mate. I am filled with gratitude to be able to play a part in this remarkable person’s journey.