Sean Bell hits the ground running on his record-breaking lap around Australia

On Sunday 10 March, 26-year-old Melbourne endurance athlete Sean Bell took off on a record-breaking run around the country to raise $1.4 million for Make-A-Wish Australia.

A run around Australia to raise $1.4 million

25-year-old Melbourne endurance athlete Sean Bell is excited to announce a record-breaking run around Australia in March next year. Not only is Sean planning on being the fastest person to run around the country, he aims to raise $1.4 million for Make-A-Wish Australia to represent the 14,000km that he will cover on foot.

⬅️ Watch Sean's launch video below 🎥

Starting and finishing at Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Sean will be undertaking his incredible Run for Wishes over five and a half months to break the current record of 13,383km in 169 days, 15 hours and 31 minutes currently held by runner and friend David Alley.

Life is short, if I can help others by putting one step in front of the other - what's an ultramarathon a day when children are suffering far greater than I am

Sean Bell

Hitting all corners of the country

Sean’s epic journey will take him to the far reaches of the nation, including Tasmania, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Darwin, Broome, Perth and Adelaide before returning to Melbourne in late August.

In 2022, Sean supported Make-A-Wish Australia when he ran from Cairns to Melbourne, covering 60km every day for 60 days. On this journey, Sean set out to raise $60,000 but finished with an incredible $100,000. During these 60 days, Make-A-Wish Australia granted 60 unique, inspiring and extraordinary wishes.

Sean said he selected Make-A-Wish Australia as his chosen charity for a second year because he is so inspired by its life-changing work.

"Make-A-Wish Australia is a charity close to my heart and I am proud to be able to chase my dream of being the fastest person to run around Australia while making a difference to the lives of sick kids and their families."

When Make-A-Wish Australia grant their life-changing wishes, they show each individual child and their family that the impossible is possible. They help the kids believe that they can do anything they set their minds to. This is what my run is all about.

Sean Bell, Make-A-Wish Ambassador

Sean inspires Make-A-Wish community

Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Sally Bateman said Sean’s inspiring efforts are an incredible example of community support for Make-A-Wish Australia.

“We are incredibly grateful to Sean for his support. This is a momentous challenge, and Sean’s efforts will go towards making more wishes come true, while encouraging sick kids to dream bigger and to believe that anything is possible,” says Sally.

Follow Sean's run

Follow along Sean's record-breaking journey below, and support Sean as he runs through your town.

Follow the journey

Make-A-Wish Australia currently has over 900 kids on their Wish Journey and has been supporting Australian children and their families in the community for over 37 years.

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