Who Is Hugo Milner?
Hugo Milner had been in the sport for just two years, yet in 2024, was eyeing up a spot for Team GBR in Paris. Whilst he didn’t secure that spot (it going to Alex Yee (automatic qualification and Tom Dickinson (domestique and relay specialist)), he certainly put him in the best position he could, for the opportunity. His rise in Triathlon has been remarkable and rapid, but we feel he’s here for the long haul and will be a name we will be talking about in years to come.
A runner by background, a degree from Harvard, and currently racing for Brownlee Racing in the Supertri, we caught up with Hugo to find out a little more about him.
Name: Hugo Milner
Age: 25
Born: 2nd September 1998
Live: Derby, UK
Coach: Steve Lloyd
Years in Triathlon: 3
Degree: Environmental Science and Public Policy (Harvard University)
What was the first sport you did?
I started off doing lots of sports at a very young age (probably about 5yrs old). I started at my local athletics club and had to be accompanied by my mum in the induction group, as I was too young to start by myself. I was also involved in tennis, football and swimming.
You went to Harvard University? What did you study and how did that opportunity come about?
I studied Environmental Science and Public Policy. I started in 2017 and graduated in 2021. I always dreamed of going to the USA for university and to pursue my running. I considered lots of different options in the UK and USA. But after taking many exams and connecting with the head athletics coach at Harvard, it was an offer I could not turn down.
What was it like at Harvard?
It was an incredible experience with many highs and lows. The classes were really tough and challenging as expected. I really enjoyed the training and racing program out there, it was so great to be able to meet so many special people and travel across the USA.
Milner competed in Track & Field and Cross Country whilst at Harvard. It was as just after his time at University finished, and just after lockdown that he realised he missed swimming. He’d been riding his bike every day during lockdown, and used to hate swimming, but realised when the pools closed that he missed it. It’s odd when something is taken away from us (not by our choice) that we can realise the significance and impact it has on us. When the pools re opened, Milner got into the habit of swimming every day and clocking up the kilometers.
So, what caused the move to triathlon?
I have always used swimming and biking as cross training for my running, especially when injured or on low mileage. I just felt that I could be better in triathlon than in athletics, so I gave it a go after the Covid pandemic and became hooked.
Favourite Triathlon distance?
Olympic
You have had a rapid rise in the sport, competing for British Triathlon just a few years after starting the sport, and then being a real contender for an Olympic spot? What has that felt like?
It feels very good to be able to make a switch to a new sport and be relatively successful in a short space of time. I started off doing local triathlons, Age Group racing, British Super Series etc. and then progressed on to European and World Cups and now World Series and Supertri. I lacked experience, but I was willing to show up to each race and learn a lot every time. I knew that if I worked hard then anything is possible and so it feels great to make such progress now looking back. Although there is still plenty more to achieve.
Ultimately you just missed out on an Olympics spot? How has it been managing the highs and rise in the sport, with the feeling of just missing out on that spot?
It was a tough moment for me, as it was a goal that I had when I first started triathlon. It was very ambitious to attempt and I came close, but ultimately it was a reminder that I still need to be better to compete at the top level.
Is the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 the goal now?
Yes, there will be lots of other races to aim for in between, but the main goal will be the Olympics.
Not only has Milner made a rapid rise on the World Triathlon scene, he’s also been racing SuperE Tri and more recently the highly competitive SuperTri. It was actually watching SuperTri, that sparked something, thinking he could perhaps give Triathlon a go. So almost full circle now racing.
You’ve been drafted in to Brownlee Racing, what’s the experience of Supertri like? Does it differ to the WTS events?
Supertri feels like the future of triathlon. It’s like a family. Everyone is very well looked after and the racing environment is unique and exciting. I have friends and family that follow me, but would probably not watch or completely follow a whole Olympic distance triathlon race, yet Supertri brings a different vibe and excitement level.
Quick Fire with Hugo:
Coffee or tea or neither?
In the winter I will drink green tea and coffee
Favourite post training (or race) meal?
Strawberry milk and pizza
Podcasts or music?
I don’t listen to podcasts currently, although I’ve been playing a lot of Oasis recently.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard, trust the process and believe in yourself.
Biggest improvement in yourself (personally or in the sport) you’d like to make?
Triathlon transitions and trying new food.
Sweet or savory?
Both
Favourite TV programme or film?
Hunted (Channel 4)
Best moment in the sport for you so far?
Winning my first World Triathlon Cup in Miyazaki.
Sporting hero (or who you looked/look up to):
Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, Mo Farah, Chris Froome.
Swim like Leon Marchand – bike like Wout van art – or run like Ingebrigtsen?
Run like Ingebrigsten. 
Already with a World Cup win to his name, beating some of the biggest names in the sport in races, an appearance at the SuperE Tri World Champs, and now racing for Brownlee Racing in SuperTri, Milner has certainly made a mark on the sport in just the few years he’s been competing. He’s almost ten years behind some of his competitors in years in the sport, but is keen to learn and improve and can see the opportunity. Moving from one sport (running), and banking on pretty much being able to churn out consistent training and races, now to three sports, and the constant puzzle of getting all three firing on the same day to be up there competing with the best. But it is a challenge Milner is up for and one that excites him. This is only the start…
