Meet the Panel: The Gathering 2026

The Long Game – Performance. Purpose. Longevity.

We are delighted—and more than a little privileged—to welcome an exceptional panel to The Gathering, taking place at The Harbour Bar in Bray on Thursday, 24 September at 7pm.

Featuring some of trail and mountain running’s finest, this year’s panel brings together five athletes with extraordinary experience across road racing, mountain running, ultramarathons and some of the world’s toughest endurance events.

The theme for 2026 is The Long Game – Performance. Purpose. Longevity. It will be an evening of remarkable stories, honest insights and inspiration that goes far beyond the usual race results.

Guiding the conversation will be our host, Seanie, fresh from completing the extraordinary challenge of running all 4,400 streets of Dublin.

  

John Boyle

A veteran of Irish ultrarunning with almost two decades of experience, John’s record reflects an enduring love of long-distance running.

A nine-time Connemara 100 finisher, he has also completed the Kerry Way Ultra and Wicklow Way Race multiple times, alongside Waterville and many more demanding events. Still going strong, John brings a wealth of experience and a fascinating perspective on resilience, consistency and staying in the sport for the long haul.

 

Ed Payne

Ed is an Irish ultrarunner who thrives on big endurance challenges.

His adventures range from 100-mile and 200-mile races to completing the epic 600km Coast2Coast journey across Ireland. Ed has built a reputation for resilience, curiosity and a willingness to discover just how far he can push himself.

His story goes beyond racing and results, exploring what draws us towards difficult challenges and what we can learn about ourselves along the way.

 

Sorcha Loughnane

Sorcha is an elite road and trail runner with an incredible range.

From a 2:45 marathon to representing Ireland internationally, she combines serious speed with remarkable endurance. Her results include winning the Serpent Trail 100K and finishing as second woman at EcoTrail Wicklow 80km.

Sorcha brings a unique perspective on performing at the highest level while successfully moving between road, trail and ultra-distance racing.

 

Niamh Fitzpatrick

Niamh is a trail and ultrarunner with an impressive record over the long stuff.

Winner of the 2025 Kerry Way UltraNite 101km, she also finished as second woman at EcoTrail Wicklow 80km. Her achievements reflect determination, resilience and a genuine enjoyment of testing herself over demanding terrain and distances.

When she isn’t running long, Niamh can often be found enjoying another passion—sunrise swimming.

 

Dave Ryan

Dave is one of Ireland’s leading ultrarunners and has twice set the fastest Irish time at UTMB.

In 2026, he completed the iconic mountain race in an extraordinary 24 hours and 5 minutes. A Kailas FUGA athlete, his standout performances also include finishing second at the Arc of Attrition 100.

Dave’s experience at the sharp end of international ultrarunning offers a fascinating insight into preparation, performance and what it takes to compete across some of the toughest mountain courses in the world.

Join Us at The Gathering

Whether you are preparing for your first trail race, stepping up to an ultra or simply fascinated by what keeps people moving through the most difficult moments, this is a panel you won’t want to miss.

Expect inspiring stories, practical insights, plenty of honesty and a celebration of everything that makes the trail and mountain-running community so special.

The Gathering: The Long Game – Performance. Purpose. Longevity

Thursday, 24 September 2026, 7pm, The Harbour Bar, Bray

Tickets available - https://eventmaster.ie/event/4ZR9u4rFEe