European Triathlon Cup Quarteira winner Hugo Milner joins On
Together with the Swiss sportswear brand, the 25-year-old British triathlon sensation chases an extraordinary dream: qualifying for the Olympics only three years after taking up the sport.
Zurich, Switzerland, March 26, 2024 - Embracing the pursuit of an extraordinary dream, British triathlete and cross-country runner Hugo Milner has recently become the newest addition to Team On's roster of athletes.
The 25-year-old distance runner and triathlete based in Derby, UK, grew up competing in cross country, track, and road running. In 2017, he earned a scholarship to attend Harvard University, where he studied Environmental Science and Public Policy with a secondary major in Government. Upon graduation, he started triathlon, and within his first two years in the sport, Milner claimed European and World Cup wins.
“I joined my local athletics club (Derby AC) when I was 6 years old and quickly realized I had a talent for cross country and distance running. I competed in several sports until my early teens and eventually settled on my best sport, running. I represented my country from the age of 14 and have continued my passion ever since”, he remembers.
Milner lists breaking the Harvard University 10,000m record in 2021 as one of his biggest achievements, and even though he focused on triathlon following his graduation, he still enjoys competing in cross country races. He represented Great Britain at the 2022 and 2023 European Cross Country Championships where he finished fourth.
“I compete in running and triathlon and aspire to be an Olympian one day in both sports”, Milner says.
Since his triathlon debut in 2022, he has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the swim, bike, run scene. His debut season saw him finish 13th in the World Triathlon Duathlon Championship in his first outing representing Great Britain, and he ended the year by topping the podium at the European Triathlon Cup Ceuta. In 2023, he clinched victory in the World Triathlon Cup event in Miyazaki, Japan, and his stellar performance positions him on the brink of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The battle for coveted spots on the British Olympic team intensifies, with selectors closely monitoring the upcoming World Triathlon Championship Series events in Yokohama (May 11) and Cagliari (May 25-26).
In his recent triumph at the European Triathlon Cup Quarteira in Portugal, Millner showed just how powerful of a runner he is, completing the 10k distance in just 29:32, securing the win, and hopefully moving one step closer to his Olympic dream.
“His success this past weekend, along with his previous World Cup podium finish, absolutely confirm Hugo as an emerging triathlon talent, “ says Maria Ortega, Athlete Partnership Manager at On. “Considering he only started competing on the international triathlon stage less than three years ago, his mix of talent and dedication to hard work are certainly cooking up to be a recipe for success. We are excited to see and support him in his develop and help him to dream On.”
The decision to join On was all about alignment and shared values for Milner.
“On and I share a similar mindset and passion for the power of sport and movement. I admire the top-quality products that are environmentally friendly and performance-driven. The style is unique and balances lifestyle and sport at a new level. Take the On Challenger vest for example - it’s a comfortable and warm gilet perfect for sport and lifestyle. I also love the Cloudboom Echo 3. It’s super light, speedy, and I have an obsession with white shoes'', he laughs.
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.