Lifeway’s Samantha Mills secures Top 10 finish at World Championships
What began as a wellbeing exercise during Covid has turned into a sporting obsession — one that has taken a long-serving member of the Lifeway team all the way to the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Spain.
Usually known as one of the dedicated members of the tendering team, Samantha Mills, from Worcestershire, proudly represented Great Britain on the international stage earlier this month.
Competing in the Sprint Duathlon in the 40–44 age bracket, she secured an impressive top 10 finish at the event held in Pontevedra.
The race — which included a 5k run, a 20k cycle, and a final 2.5k run — tested athletes’ endurance and resolve. Reflecting on the experience, Sam described it as “pretty epic.”
“It was an atmosphere I had never experienced and was worth all the nerves and training to get there,” she added
Her triathlon journey began in 2019, when she completed her first event. Fitting all her training around work, she steadily built up her fitness.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, she bought herself a bike and started taking part in local 10k runs and half marathons. But progress wasn’t always smooth — at the end of 2023, she faced a period of recovery that left her unable to train for five months.
Remarkably, her first race back was a World Championship qualifier.
“It was a bit insane,” she said. “I did pinch myself a few times.”
She stressed that having an event to focus on was essential to both her mental and physical wellbeing and encourages others to find a form of movement that works for them — whether it’s a weekend run in the park, yoga, or simply going for a walk.
“Just getting outside and moving your body. It is so important,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sam is focused on continuing her training, gaining more experience, and working towards qualifying again — this time for the 2027 championships in Edmonton, Canada.