Ironman Emma set for World Championships
A Stoke woman who was determined to get fit after having her two children has landed a place to represent Team Great Britain at the Age Group World Triathlon Championship Finals in Australia later this year.
Emma Broadhurst, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, decided to tackle her ‘mum tum’ by taking up swimming again – something she had enjoyed at school. Then, after borrowing a bike from a friend before subsequently buying one second-hand, she had the idea to set herself a Triathlon challenge which would help to focus her training sessions.
“My weight was fluctuating after having kids and I would do a bit of swimming or bike riding and then fall back into old habits again,” said Emma, a local business owner.
“It was only when I decided to join the local Triathlon club that I got the coaching and support I needed to focus on getting and staying fit.”
Emma entered her first half-ironman distance Triathlon – which involved swimming for 1.2 miles, biking for 56 miles, and then running for 13.1 miles - in May 2023 and enjoyed it so much she decided to work towards the full Ironman the following year.
And it was training for this event, where Emma entered a Sprint Triathlon in Cardiff in June 2024 that Emma tore up the track – and the rule book - by completing the race and securing a place to represent Team Great Britain in her Age Group at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia in October this year.
Said Emma: “I had absolutely no expectations beyond just finishing so it’s surreal to now be looking at the World Championships after just a year of training.”
Emma has now received sponsorship from SUEZ recycling and recovery UK to help her compete and, as a warm-up for the big event in Australia, she will also be representing Team GB at the European Triathlon championships in Istanbul in August. As a gentle warm up, she plans to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by completing the Manchester Marathon on 27th April; a comparatively easy task as it won’t involve swimming for 2.4 miles or cycling a further 112 before the 26.2-mile run begins!
Phil Mountain, General Manager for SUEZ Industrial and Commercial, said: “We’re delighted that Emma has made it this far – she’s a local legend and we’re backing her all the way to the finish line at Wollongong. The fact she has also started her journey by following the waste hierarchy and promoting re-use is brilliant, showcasing how affordable and accessible it is to get involved in sports.”
Added Emma: “Triathlon has completely taken over my life and opened up a whole new world for me and my family. The hands-on coaching I’ve received from my local club Newcastle (Staffs) Triathlon Club (https://clubspark.net/NewcastleStaffsTriClub) has made all the difference and the sponsorship I’ve received from SUEZ has made attending the World Championships and representing Team GB possible,” she said.
If you would like to follow Emma as she trains for her World Championship competition, you can find her on Instagram at @mum_that_tris
In addition, if you are interested in joining your local triathlon club, you can find them at: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/clubs/search