Morris Owen continue to support Swindon athlete
Accountants Morris Owen have renewed their sponsorship of Swindon triathlete Emma-Kate Lidbury for the year ahead.
It is the third consecutive year the firm of chartered accountants and tax and financial advisers have pledged their support to 29-year-old Emma-Kate, a former Swindon Advertiser reporter who now competes as a professional athlete.
Emma-Kate, from Cricklade, said: “The support I have received – and continue to receive – from Morris Owen is terrific. I’m hugely grateful to them for backing me and I’m sure with their support 2010 will be a great season for me.”
The triathlon season will get under way for Emma-Kate in May at Ironman 70.3 Florida. She is then hoping to compete at another three or four 70.3 events in the UK, Belgium and America from June through to November. These events take their name from the total distance covered across the three disciplines – 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run.
Emma-Kate said: “I’m focusing on longer distance events this season as that seems to be my strength. Last year was my first season racing as a pro, but I suffered a lot with injury. Although it meant it was a frustrating year, I learned a lot and will use that experience to my advantage this year.”
She added: “Triathlon is a rapidly expanding sport and is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK so more and more businesses are keen to become associated with it. The Morris Owen logo on my kit is seen the world over!”
Morris Owen partner Rob Harman said: “We are proud to support Emma-Kate and look forward to seeing her achieve great things this year.”
Emma-Kate is also sponsored by Wiggle.co.uk, the UK’s top online bike and triathlon retailer which has a triathlon team for whom she races. They provide her with training and race bikes, sports nutrition, kit and equipment.
She trains between 15 and 20 hours a week, swimming about 15km in the pool, clocking up 150 miles on the bike and running upwards of 30 miles as well as gym sessions.
She added: “I’ve been really grateful of the support of Cricklade Leisure Centre where the gym facilities have been a godsend during the recent snowy weather. I’ve also been training with the Swindon Tri Club - they’ve got a brilliant set-up and some very talented athletes who’ve become great training partners.”
This article originally appeared in the Swindon Advertiser on the 26 January 2010
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