EVERY MONTH, YOUNG MARY PETERS TRUST ATHLETES SPELL OUT HOW THE CHARITY IS AIDING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR SPORTING DREAMS
The Mary Peters Trust is celebrating 50 years since it was set up in 1975 to help talented young athletes achieve their sporting dreams.
This month we feature Enduro and Downhill Mountain biker Hannah Mullin
PORTADOWN enduro and downhill mountain biker/racer Hannah Mullin recalls reading a quote from Mary Peters in an article which resonated with her. Mary had said, ‘You don’t need to be a champion to succeed in sport. You just need to enjoy the journey.’
Hannah agrees: “I truly believe that if you’re not enjoying the highs and lows of your sport or competing, you shouldn’t be doing it. Fun should always be the main priority, and if you’re having fun, good results will ultimately come along.”
Hannah first became a Mary Peters athlete in Summer 2023 and talking about it she says: “I was honoured and extremely grateful to be considered amongst so many other athletes.”
She took up mountain biking at only three and started competitive racing at 8 when she joined her local club in Craigavon.
Hannah’s goal is to keep racing mountain bikes at the highest level and see how far she can go, but beyond racing she would love to be a coach and help develop the next generation of young riders.
“I’d love to support people to become better versions of themselves and help them develop as an athlete. I am currently in the middle of completing my trail cycle leader award to help young people get into cycling,” she says.
Hannah plans at some stage to make a return to cross-country racing, where it all began for her. She would love to tick off some big competitions such as the Megavalanche and the Trans Madeira and Trans Caledonia events.
Currently studying Sport and Exercise Science at Ulster University Hannah also works for the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service.
“I train in lots of different places with huge variety in my schedule – from training in the gym to sprint work at the mountain bike trails adjacent to the Mary Peters Track. I also do downhill training at Rostrevor and in nearby Ravensdale Forest in Co Louth for enduro training.”
Reflecting on how vital support from the Mary Peters Trust has been, Hannah adds: “It’s helped me gain so many big experiences like travelling the world and meeting new people.
“I’ve been privileged to compete across Europe at the very highest level of mountain bike racing in many different countries including France, Austria, Scotland, Wales, Italy and Switzerland. Trust support has helped me attend pre racing season training camps as well as competing in UCI Enduro World Cups.”
Her proudest moment to date is becoming Irish Enduro National Champion in August 2025.
“It’s a title I’ve been chasing for over seven years and had never won it because of crashes, silly mistakes and not having any other girls to race against in my category – so having to race with the boys or the elite women. It is something that I have always wanted to achieve and in 2025 I did!”
Hannah’s coach is Colin Ross – known as Rosco Lines and Hannah says: “He has really helped me to develop as an athlete and racer, enabling me to improve my mindset before races and has pushed me out of my comfort zones.”
Hannah’s parents have also played a huge role as she acknowledges: “They have supported me every step of the way – not just by being there emotionally, but also by putting in the time, effort, and sacrifice to help me chase this sport.
“They’ve travelled with me to races across the country and even around the world, always showing up no matter how far or how tough things got.
“Having that kind of support has made all the difference. It’s taught me the value of resilience, discipline, and staying grounded no matter what the outcome is. It’s something I’ll always carry with me, both on and off the bike.”
