Staffordshire triathlete heading to Istanbul as warm-up for World Championships in October

For Emma, who lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is heading out to represent Team GB for the very first time at the European Triathlon Championships, undertaking a 750m swim in the Bosphorus strait, followed by a 20km bike race across the bridge that joins Europe and Asia and culminating in a 5km run through the historic streets of Istanbul.

But what makes Emma’s achievement extra special is that she has only been a competing triathlete since joining her local club two years ago. Incredibly, the race that propelled her onto the world stage happened just last year at a Sprint Triathlon in Cardiff.

“It’s completely surreal to be representing my country – I really only took up the sport to get back in shape after having the kids so nobody was more surprised than me when I placed in Cardiff and qualified for the World Championships,” said Emma.

Now, having received sponsorship from SUEZ recycling and recovery UK to help with the costs of competing, Emma is confident that the Europeans – which take place on 30th August -will provide valuable experience of racing in very warm climates before the Age Group World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong, Australia, in October this year.

Phil Mountain, General Manager at SUEZ Industrial and Commercial said: “We’re really rooting for Emma in Istanbul and we know she’ll smash it. Members of her family work for SUEZ so we’ve followed her progress locally as she’s come up through the ranks and gained a name for herself.

“It’s a proud moment for SUEZ and Staffordshire to have one of their own representing Great Britain on the world stage.”

You can follow Emma’s progress as she prepares for the race via her Instagram updates @mum_that_tris and watch the actual event on the official World Triathlon Streaming service, TriathlonLive.tv, and catch up with results on the day.