A Cumbrian vet who ran for an astonishing 82 hours in the Alps has been shortlisted for a Woman of the Year award in her native Ireland.
Emma Stuart, 33, who works at Paragon Vets’ Newbiggin practice, says she is delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. She is shortlisted alongside some incredible sportswomen, including an ice freediver to a long-distance paddle boarder and a transatlantic sailor.
Fellow Irish ultramarathon runner Eoin Keith nominated Emma for the Outsider Woman of the Year award – and they will both be travelling to Dublin today (Wednesday 21 February) for a glittering presentation ceremony hosted by Ireland’s Adventure Magazine.
“I was blown away when I found out that Eoin had nominated me,” said Emma. “He is revered in Ireland for his amazing achievements and a bit of a hero of mine. The fact that he believes in me means the world to me.”
Emma is also inspired by the other women on the short list, which include Eve McMahon (19), the youngest ever Irish sailor to qualify for an Olympics and Ellie Berry (29), who wowed the outdoors community when she set a new speed record for climbing every mountain in Ireland.
Another shortlister, long distance paddle boarder Jennifer Greenlees (50), paddled 75 miles from Portballintrae to Bangor in three days, the longest distance paddled in Ireland at the time, to raise funds for her cousin’s cancer treatment.
Emma, nicknamed The Running Vet, also has some huge achievements under her belt and has managed to juggle her training with her work.
She said: “I want to show other vets who get bogged down and struggle with work-life balance that they can have a fulfilling career and a life outside work.
“Paragon has been so supportive and accommodating. Being willing to consider my interests and allow me to take the time off to train and compete, that makes a huge difference.”
Last year, Emma became the fastest woman to complete one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons – the famous 350km Tor des Geants around the Aosta Valley in Italy. About 1,300 people set off in the race, with only about 650 of those crossing the finish line.
Remarkably, Tor des Géants was Emma’s first multi-day race of any kind, and she emerged as the youngest-ever female winner. This outstanding accomplishment has elevated her to a standout star in the global ultra-running community.
Most recently, Emma competed in the Transgrancanaria, a 126km race where she came third, joining the podium with Courtney Dauwalter and Claudia Tremps.