Full Name:
Sebastien Berlier
When did you join Sportsworld?
January 2023
Where do you work?
I was lucky enough to co-create and run a business called Hosting Power for almost 11 years, specialising in medium-term accommodation in Ireland. I recently stepped down to focus on various investments and some new super exciting personal projects.
What is your favourite club session?
Tesco 8 x 600m: tough, relentless, but oh-so-satisfying. The perfect counterbalance to those daily runs.
What is your favourite race distance?
5K is my sweet spot, but lately, I’ve caught the marathon bug. There’s something special about the whole journe from the months of training to race-day excitement, the buzzing crowds, and the challenge of conquering distance without hitting the unfamous wall.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
I keep it simple, pasta with something like a veggie steak. Protein-packed and tasty, no fuss!
My favourite place to train:
Bushy Park, obviously. It’s the club’s home and only five minutes from my place. But for long runs, nothing beats cruising along Dublin Bay from Terenure to the Forty Foot via Sandymount Strand.
What’s your favourite race?
I don’t really have a favourite. I love exploring new races, formats, and locations, both in Ireland and abroad. In a way, my favourite race is always the next one!
What is your target for the next year?
Stay healthy, keep running, and build friendships within the club. If I do that, the PBs will take care of themselves.
What international events have you run?
I’ve raced in Portugal, Wales, France, Spain… and my next stop is the Edinburgh Marathon in May 2025.
Where’s the most interesting place you have run?
Running on the Stade de France track last October was unreal. The “Saint Denis Marathon” finished inside the stadium, and I got to run the last 200m on that world-famous purple track only 2 months after the Olympics, an unforgettable experience.
Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been (not running-related)?
Kiev in 2019. The colorful architecture of some buildings like churches and universities was incredible, and the cultural immersion was fascinating.
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
I stay active with gym, surfing, mountainbiking, and other sports. I also have a deep love for football, I might just be the biggest French supporter of the League of Ireland! I even run a Twitter account https://x.com/Footballirlande. You’ll also often find me reading, cooking or diving into modern art culture.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
My parents told me that I ran before I could walk. I was in an athletics club in high school, then switched to playing Olympic Handball at a good level in France. Running became my main sport again around 2015.
Tell us about your PBs / What is your biggest achievement?
I’ve only run 2 marathons so far (with Edinburgh coming up soon), but I was happy to go sub-3:15 at Saint Denis Marathon last year especially after coming back from 10 months of injury.
For shorter distances, my 5K PB is 18:12 in Dundalk in 2023, and I’m hungry for sub-18 soon!
What is your biggest non-running-related achievement?
Surrounding myself with amazing, positive people. No medal needed for that one!
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
I run 5 to 6 days a week from 60-70K, and up to 100K in those brutal marathon training blocks.
What motivates you (running or otherwise)?
Staying healthy for as long as possible so I can keep enjoying an active life. Pushing my limits, taking on new challenges, whether in running, business, or life, and sharing great moments and plenty of laughs with people along the way.
What’s the best thing about being in a running club?
The energy is unbeatable. Everyone is so welcoming, and training as a group brings out the best in you. Those interval and fartlek sessions? No way would I do them solo! The club makes them not just bearable, but fun.
What made you join a Running Club?
A mix of wanting to improve and being part of a local community. The structured training, advice from coaches & experienced runners, and the motivation of a group were all major reasons.
Why is running important to you?
It’s simple: it makes me feel good. Staying healthy, being outdoors, setting new challenges, chasing PBs, the excitment about the next race, all topped off with a well-earned warm shower and a great meal. What’s not to love?
Is there anything you’d like to see more (or less) of at the club?
A short strength and core session after training, especially in the summer on the grass in Bushy Park, perfect way to round off a session.
Who in the club inspires you to run better?
The club is full of incredible people who push me to improve! Special shout-out to Emily, Myles, Paul, and Michael, they’re always there to encourage, no matter how discouraging is the weather. Seeing runners of all levels and backgrounds show up and give it their best is endlessly inspiring, no matter if you’ve had a good or bad day.
Do you do any cross-training or other sports regularly?
Yes, I hit the gym once or twice a week, go surfing both in Ireland and abroad, and enjoy mountain biking in the Wicklow Mountains and in Lyon whenever I visit my family.
