Speaker Schedule

Ryan Hand sits down with the incredible US super-team Jess & Manoj Swearinge for an inspiring Q&A, exploring the mindset, grit, and lessons behind their extraordinary achievement: running 50 marathons in 50 states.

What began as a dream of a recreational runner evolved into a life-changing quest that has motivated countless others to chase their own “crazy” running goals. Expect powerful stories, honest reflections, and practical insights on perseverance, resilience, and turning big dreams into reality.

Paul McMullan is the Owner, Clinical Lead, and Principal Sports Podiatrist at Lower Limb, a highly regarded podiatry clinic in Belfast. Alongside colleague and fellow podiatrist Darren Costello, Paul will deliver an informative and practical session that tackles common footwear myths and helps runners understand what really matters when choosing running shoes.

If you struggle to find the right running shoes or feel overwhelmed by choice, this session is a must-attend.

Get ready for plenty of inspiration, good vibes, and plant-powered motivation from the guys who know a thing or two about fuelling your body for a run. Steve and Dave Flynn, identical twins, are ultra-marathon running, sea swimming, yoga-loving bros on a mission to create a healthier, happier world and build community. 

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Catherine McLaughlin from CFIT delivers an insightful session on nutrition for runners, focusing on how to fuel training, support recovery, and sustain long-term health and performance.

Catherine will explore what it really means to get 1% better — not just in running performance, but across the areas that truly move the needle long term: mindset, nutrition, and strength training. Drawing on over 13 years of coaching experience and working with clients at every stage of life, she’ll share practical lessons on training in a way that supports you not just for your next race, but for years to come.

12pm: Skip the long waits and hard-to-get appointments — we’ve brought the experts to you. This panel brings together leading voices in sports medicine, biomechanics, and performance to break down what runners really need to know about how the body works. From bone health and injury prevention to movement efficiency and long-term resilience, the discussion bridges cutting-edge science with practical advice you can apply straight away.

Dr Michael McKillop MBE is a four-time Paralympic Gold Medallist, nine-time World Champion, and multiple World Record holder, making him one of Ireland’s most successful elite sportsmen. Since retiring from competitive athletics, Michael has launched his own coaching business, delivers High-Performance workshops in the corporate sector, and shares the mindset, lessons, and strategies that powered his extraordinary sporting career.

Join Michael as he tells his story — the highs and the lows, and life before, during, and after his career on the track.

They call themselves “Idiots” — but anyone who runs ultra-marathons for fun certainly isn’t!

Join Colin & Andrew Goodman from Northern Ireland’s Idiots Go Running Podcast as they share their story: How We Accidentally Became Ultra Runners. Discover their epic journey of running 350 miles to support Multiple Sclerosis, and be inspired by their humor, perseverance, and passion for ultra-running.

Ryan Hand catches up with Anna Pringle & Graham Clifford from the Irish and international running movement Sanctuary Runners. They share insights about their solidarity-through-sport initiative, which uses running, jogging, and walking to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and Irish residents, fostering community and inclusion through shared activity.

Join Sean Coffey, host of Ireland’s leading Any Given Run Day, as he chats with an incredible lineup of marathoners:

Ger Copeland – An accomplished marathoner who, after recovering from a brain injury and stroke, ran a sub-3-hour marathon in Dublin and went on to win the Antarctic Marathon. Munro Ruigrok – A seasoned marathoner who recently ran a marathon in total silence to raise awareness and funds for hearing loss.Rachel Abernethy – A passionate runner, founder of her own run club, Asics brand ambassador, and a strong advocate for Parkrun.

With so much expertise and inspiration in one lineup, this is not to be missed!

Join Ryan Hand for a fireside chat with some of the most inspirational women in Northern Ireland running. Hear their personal stories of highs and lows, and discover what running truly means to them:

Tracey Atkinson - Co-founder of  NI Rave Run is a Masters athlete, Sub3 marathon runner and European gold medallist. Hear how she discovered running in her 30s after being diagnosed with a brain tumour while on a career break, studying for her degree with three daughters under five!! 

Jade Hegarty – Founder of TrailRunNI, a dedicated trail running community helping more people access and enjoy running in nature.

Erin McConnell – A 25-year-old international triathlete for Ireland, currently training full-time with her sights set on LA 2028 Olympics. With relentless dedication and big ambitions, Erin is a rising force in elite endurance sport.

Deborah Rice is a breastfeeding mother, with severe hip dysplasia, and is committed to empowering women to understand and trust the incredible capabilities of their bodies — from running during pregnancy to returning to and navigating exercise and running while breastfeeding. Through her work and lived experience, she champions strength, resilience and confidence, reminding mothers that they are truly Strong as a Mother.

She will be joined on stage by Ailis McKavanagh, mother of four, who discovered her love of running after the birth of her first child. Known for clocking up training miles with the buggy, she has learned to balance running with the demands of parenting, breastfeeding, and limited time.

She is the Chairperson of the rapidly growing Carryduff Running Club and has completed both the Dublin Marathon and the Amsterdam Marathon, the latter while pregnant with her fourth child. Both ladies, are speaking on behalf of Breastival NI, offering insight into how pregnancy, breastfeeding and early parenthood intersect with running and exercise.

A session packed with insight, motivation, and the power of women in running.