iTG Technologies has sponsored local athlete, Milly Robinson, to help her pursue her dream of competing at the 2032 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Milly is an Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete and currently the Spartan Race Regional (UK) Series Champion (age group 14-17), having won two out of the four-race series held in May, June, and July this year. She competed across various distances, from 5k up to 21k, and has qualified for the 2023 OCR European Championships to be held in Hungary in June.
In only her second race of her life at the 2019 OCR World Championships, Milly finished second in her age group, just days after turning 13 and becoming eligible to enter.
OCR is one of the fastest growing mass participation sports and combines off-road running with completing obstacles including climbing over walls, crawling under cargo nets, and swinging across monkey bars, much in the same vein as Tough Mudder and Ninja Warrior.
Obstacle racing will probably replace the equestrian event in the modern pentathlon in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games with a formal decision to be made in November 2022. Whilst still early in her career, Milly and her coaching team are holding open the option to migrate to this event, although final decisions will be made in the future.
Shaun Wilde, local businessman, Milly’s coach, and Head of Development at World Obstacle, takes up the story: “While there is no doubt that Milly is extremely talented at OCR, there is also no doubt that she has the talent, motivation, and determination to take on the modern pentathlon. We think that 2028 may be too early for Milly but if we do decide to go down this route, then we will target the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane for her to become a member of Team GB.”
In the meantime, the aim for Milly now is to podium in her age group at her chosen races and at UK, European and World Championship OCR events, including at the 2023 OCR European Championships in Hungary in June and the 2023 OCR World Championships in Belgium in September. When Milly turns 18 in 2024, she will switch to competing at the elite level, racing females from across the world.
Shaun continues: “Her target for 2022 was to win the Spartan Race Series, which she did and now we need to continue to build on this success. This will require not only a great deal of dedication from Milly, but also external funding support, and to iTG Technologies, we are extremely grateful.”
The sponsorship received from iTG Technologies will enable Milly to optimise her training regime through the closed season, which runs from October to March, and help her to prepare for competitions in 2023. This includes attending technical training boot camps at specialist facilities and maintaining her fitness via cross country and road races, plus further running, strength, endurance, and technique training.
Simon Spurrell, managing director at iTG Technologies comments: “As a company we actively support young athletes and as a keen runner myself, I know what a difference good quality training can make to performance. OCR is fantastic for both mental and physical health and requires a variety of body movements to complete the obstacles. It requires real focus, determination and technique and I hope that our sponsorship monies will enable Milly to get the best possible training to support her unique talent.”
Jamie Robinson, Milly’s father, ex pro golfer and avid sportsman, comments: “We are extremely proud of Milly and what she has achieved so far. I know that she has natural talent and see every day how hard she trains. She is determined and focused, much more so than I was during my golfing career, and I see something special in her. With such a fantastic team around her I know she has a bright future.”
Milly, who is going into year 11 at Tytherington High School, comments: “I love the obstacles, challenge and competitive nature of the OCR events and am determined to succeed. I’m excited about my future and where my talent can take me and longer term, I want to make a career out of performance sport.”
Photo caption: Milly Robinson with her coach Shaun Wilde on the podium as Spartan Race Regional (UK) Series Champion (age group 14-17).
