Vermont footy player Sean Bell runs 50 marathons in 50 days to honour mate

A former Vermont Eagles Football Club captain is taking on an incredible feat to honour a former teammate who died in his sleep.

Sean is running in memory of his beloved teammate. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A former Vermont footballer is taking on a gruelling challenge to honour a former teammate who died in his sleep.

Sean Bell is running 50 marathons in 50 days, 2100kms — the equivalent distance from Melbourne to Alice Springs — in memory of Joseph Moschetti.

It’s a venture most would not dream of attempting, but for the 21-year-old it’s just the precursor to his greater goal — to run around Australia.

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The Vermont South man plans to set off from the football club on November 30 next year and run 14,000kms around the country in time to return to the clubrooms on July 30, 2021 — the fifth anniversary of his mate’s death.

When the pair were 18, Joseph mysteriously died in his sleep.

Sean is running in memory of his beloved teammate. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Sean said his friend’s passing left him feeling lost.

He went on to captain the Vermont Eagles U19s in an undefeated premiership season the following year, but Sean said he no longer found himself enjoying football.

Sean said he instead discovered a love of long distance running and was supported by the Moschetti family when he ran a 60km ultra-marathon last year.

In his bereavement, he grew closer to the Joseph’s family and learnt some of their other friends had not been as supportive as expected following their loss.

Jog for Joey will honour his friend and raise awareness and funds for The Compassionate Friends, a charity the Moschetti chose because of the support it gave them.

The non-profit supports bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child.

Money raised will go towards educating people on how to support other people.

Sean is smashing through the 50 marathons, having started on January 4, hoping they will raise awareness of his greater goal and attract sponsors.

Sean is running 50 marathons in 50 days in memory of his teammate Joseph. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“If people want to run with me and be involved in this campaign, I would absolutely love that,” Sean said.

So far he’s been joined by 30 people on one day alone, and Joseph’s father who joined on his bike.

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