Portadown enduro and downhill mountain biker/racer Hannah Mullin 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 recalls reading a quote from Mary Peters in an article which resonated with her: ‘You don’t need to be a champion to succeed in sport. You just need to enjoy the journey.’
“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 has been mountain biking since she was three and started competitive racing aged eight when she joined her local club in Craigavon. Her dad had competed in road racing competitions and then took up enduro mountain bike racing when Hannah was very young. Listening to his stories, she always knew she wanted to try racing.
Hannah’s goal is to keep racing mountain bikes at the highest level and see how far she can go on the national or international stage. But beyond racing, she would love to be a coach and help develop the next generation of young riders.
“Mountain biking has given me so much and I’d love to pass on my love of the sport by teaching skills, building confidence, and helping others find the same passion for the sport that I have.
“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.
“Whether it’s through racing or coaching, I just want to stay involved in mountain biking and make a positive impact.”
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.
“What drives me forward is my love for the sport and the help and support I have from all my family, friends and coach.”
Hannah is studying Sport and Exercise Science in Ulster University as well as working for the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. Balancing academia, work and her training regime results in a very busy schedule.
“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.”
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.”
She is extremely proud of becoming Irish Enduro National Champion at the beginning of August 2025, competing in several UCI enduro world cups and in 2022 securing 2nd place in the U21 solo rider category at the Enduro World Series Trophy of Nations in Italy representing Ireland.
Reflecting on how vital support from the Mary Peters Trust has been, Hannah says, “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.”
Hannah’s proudest moment in mountain biking racing to date is becoming Irish Enduro National Champion in August 2025.
“It’s a title I’ve been chasing for over 7 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!”
The race was held in Clonmel, County Tipperary and featured six race stages across a 28KM loop.
“The sun shone all weekend, and the tracks were super dry and fast. I made a few mistakes throughout the day, but nothing major that would cost me the win. When the riders arrived back at the race village the organisers held back the results which added to the tension. When my name was called out in first place, it was a dream come true!”
However, in sport things don’t always go to plan and one race that taught Hannah more than any she has won was the 2024 Irish Downhill National Championships.
“I slipped on a root during my race run though still only lost the race by 0.9 seconds. It was frustrating because I knew I had the speed to win, but looking back I know that making mistakes and crashing is part of the sport and it’s how you respond that really matters.
“Instead of letting it get to me, I got back up, pushed through, and still gave it everything to the finish line. That moment proved to me that I have the resilience to keep going no matter what happens.
“My coach, Colin was a huge part in helping me process it. Rather than focusing on the result, he helped me break down what happened and examine how I could improve my line choice, how best to stay mentally calm after setbacks, and how to turn frustration into motivation. We used it as a learning opportunity, not just a loss.”
Cycling coach Colin Ross, has played a huge role in developing Hannah as a rider and racer. Hannah says, “He’s believed in me and helped me to see my potential, even when I couldn’t see it myself. I’m now stronger, faster, and more consistent when racing.”
Paying tribute to her parents Hannah says, “They have been a massive part of my journey and 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.
“They’ve watched me grow up racing, have seen the highs and the lows, and never stopped believing in me. Whether it was helping me fix a bike the night before a race, calming my nerves at the start line, or encouraging me after a tough result, they’ve always had my back.
“Having that kind of support from both my parents 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.”
The Mary Peters Trust supports and celebrates the next generation of sporting talent.
Empowering Young Athletes Across Northern Ireland
The Mary Peters Trust supports and celebrates the next generation of sporting talent.