Draft:John O Regan
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Irish |
| Born | County Kildare, Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Ultra-runner, coach and speaker |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Sport | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sport | Ultrarunning |
Event | 100 km · 24-hour · ultra-trail |
| Club | Le Chéile AC |
John O’Regan (born 1969) is an Irish international ultramarathon runner, coach and motivational speaker. He is a three-time Irish national champion in the 24-hour race, has represented Ireland in world and European championships across 100 km, ultra-trail and 24-hour disciplines, and has completed marathons and ultramarathons on all seven continents, including the North Pole and Antarctica.[1]
Early life and background
[edit]O’Regan began running in 2001 at the age of 32, transforming his lifestyle through fitness. Within a few years he progressed from marathons to ultramarathons and extreme endurance events. In addition to his running career, he works as a personal trainer, coach and guide-runner for visually-impaired athletes.[2]
Running career
[edit]National and international representation
[edit]O’Regan has represented Ireland in at least ten international ultra-distance competitions, including IAU and European Championships in 100 km, trail and 24-hour formats. He is a three-time Irish 24-hour national champion, winning multiple titles at the Energia 24-Hour Race in Belfast.[3]
Extreme and global races
[edit]O’Regan has completed ultramarathons on every continent, including:
- North Pole Marathon (2004) – 5 h 51 m 48 s.[4]
- Antarctic Ice Marathon (2005).[5]
- Spartathlon, Greece (2010) – finished 246 km in 34 h 34 m.[6]
- IAU Trail World Championships (Connemara 2011) – 8 h 30 m 48 s, 63rd overall.[7]
He has also taken part in major 100 km and multi-day events in Australia, Europe and North America.
24-hour racing highlights
[edit]- 2011 – Energia 24-Hour, Belfast: Irish Champion with approximately 132 miles (212 km).[8]
- 2014 – Energia 24-Hour, Belfast: Irish Champion again with 227 km, marking his third title in four years.[3]
- Represented Ireland in the IAU 24-Hour World Championships (2013 – 2016).
Leadership and coaching
[edit]O’Regan is also active in administration and athlete development. He has served as Team Manager for Ireland at the 2025 IAU 24-Hour World Championships in Albi, France, and was elected Director of Communications for the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) for the 2025–2029 term.[9]
Selected major results
[edit]| Year | Event | Distance / Duration | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | North Pole Marathon | Marathon | Finisher | 5 h 51 m 48 s[4] |
| 2005 | Antarctic Ice Marathon | Marathon | Finisher | Completed Antarctic Marathon[5] |
| 2010 | Spartathlon (Greece) | 246 km | Finisher | 34 h 34 m[6] |
| 2011 | Energia 24-Hour (Belfast) | 24 h | 1st (Irish Champion) | ≈ 212 km[8] |
| 2011 | IAU Trail World Champs (Connemara) | 88 km | 63rd overall | 8 h 30 m 48 s[7] |
| 2014 | Energia 24-Hour (Belfast) | 24 h | 1st (Irish Champion) | 227 km[3] |
| 2025 | IAU 24-Hour World Championships (Albi) | 24 h | Team Manager (Ireland) | Leadership role[9] |
Awards and recognition
[edit]O’Regan has been recognised as one of Ireland’s most accomplished ultra-distance athletes, noted for his consistency and ambassadorial role in endurance sport. He frequently appears at running expos and endurance conferences as a speaker and coach, offering training guidance for marathon and ultramarathon runners.[10]
Personal life and philosophy
[edit]O’Regan advocates a steady, sustainable approach to training. He promotes gradual progress, consistency and mental resilience over speed, believing that endurance success depends more on preparation and mindset than raw talent. He shares his experiences through his long-running blog Running in the Dark.[11]
Legacy
[edit]John O’Regan is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in Irish ultrarunning. His national titles, extreme-environment races and later governance roles have contributed significantly to the growth and visibility of ultra-distance running in Ireland.
References
[edit]- ^ "IAU Candidate CV – John O'Regan" (PDF). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "The Humble Runner: John O'Regan Interview". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "O'Regan Claims Third National 24-Hour Title". 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "North Pole Marathon Results 2004". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Antarctic Ice Marathon Results". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Spartathlon Official Results 2010". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "IAU Trail World Championships 2011 Results". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "O'Regan Reigns in Belfast 24-Hour". 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Athletics Ireland – O'Regan Appointed to IAU Council". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "John O'Regan – Speaker Profile". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "Running in the Dark – John O'Regan's Blog". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official blog – Running in the Dark
- Speaker profile – Front Row Speakers
- IAU Candidate CV
- Athletics Ireland – Ultrarunning News
Category:Irish ultramarathon runners
Category:Living people
Category:Sportspeople from County Kildare
Category:1969 births