Podcasts

Ultra endurance cyclist Seán Hernon from Galway has been embracing adventure on two wheels for many years. What started out as a five week bike-packing adventure across Africa has led him to many routes and races at home and abroad with a firm focus on going long, embracing exploration and adventure.

Kickstarting his ultra cycling career with the Race Around Ireland in 2009, it has been a roller coaster of a ride with many mountains and kilometres climbed to get to where he is today in his ultra cycling career. Toeing the start line of the Race Around Ireland on numerous occasions since his first attempt at the event he has dealt with the lows of a number disappointing DNF’s and the highs of finishing on the podium in both the Full and Ultra distance events.

With a 2^nd & 3^rd place in both the Full and Ultra events at Race Around Ireland, he has his target set to make it to the top step of the podium in the Ultra race in 2022 after what might be considered a breakthrough season this year.

Crippled with stomach issues and a knee that gives him plenty of bother whilst racing, that have both in turn affected his performances over the years, he has through the intervention and guidance of performance nutritionist Jillian Mooney found some relief for his stomach issues that has seen him perform at the level this season that he knew he was capable of.  This Summer, Seán won the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra 555k Unsupported Race and the TJB Coastal 330 mile race before going on to set a new record for the 571k route from Mizen Head to Malin Head in a time of 17:20. That’s an average of 33kph over the distance which included around 4,500m of climbing.

With his eyes on the prize of the top step on the podium in the Race Around Ireland Ultra in 2022, a possible faster record attempt for that Mizen to Malin Route and the expected arrival of a new addition to the Hernon household early next year, there are exciting things to come for the man referred to fondly as the ‘Bear’ Hernon.