Two of Armstrong Watson’s esteemed colleagues are being celebrated for their outstanding achievements in elite sporting events.
Audit and Assurance Director Lauren Graham, of Carlisle, who is a seasoned Cumbrian fell runner, has conquered one of the UK’s toughest endurance challenges – the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100km race. Finishing in 2nd place with an impressive time of 16 hours and 57 minutes, Lauren demonstrated relentless perseverance taking on the gruelling course which covers more than 6,500m of elevation.
She managed to execute the first half of the race well to take the lead going into 50km but says she hit a wall going up Snowden for the second time. “I entered the UTS 100k knowing both the training and the race would be tough and knowing how much I could grow by being pushed to new limits,” said Lauren.
“I love training and love any opportunity to learn, and this race did not disappoint. The course was brutal, yet beautiful. At 80k, I was cramping up badly, but the support from my Cumbrian girls at the assisted checkpoint gave me the motivation and determination to push through and get the job done. You just need to find something to keep going and you can still make that finish line. I believe the harder you work, the luckier you get,” Lauren continued.
Meanwhile, Michael Morris, Newcastle Audit Partner, represented Great Britain on the international stage at the 2025 Europe Triathlon Middle Distance Championships in Pamplona, Spain. Competing against world-class athletes, Michael also secured 2nd place in his class.
He said: “It was possibly the hardest, but yet one of the most beautiful races I have ever competed in. The city is steeped in history and was simply stunning.
“Illness three weeks before the event set me back a little and that combined with the heat and the really hilly bike and run courses meant there was nothing left in the tank at all at the finish line. It was a relief to finish. Whilst my target was the gold – I really am pleased, relieved and grateful to have made the podium but the next time I go back to Pamplona, it will be for a far more leisurely trip.”
In their day jobs as audit and assurance leaders, Lauren and Michael require resilience, strategy and an ability to perform under pressure, qualities they both hold in abundance. Their success is a testament to Armstrong Watson’s ethos, a commitment to excellence, meticulous preparation and an unwavering pursuit of peak performance.
Head of Audit and Assurance, Joanna Gray, added: “At Armstrong Watson, we understand that success is forged through dedication, teamwork and continuous improvement – values that Lauren and Michael both exemplify in their respective sports and their leadership in audit. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievements.”
Later this Summer, both Lauren and Michael will be competing as part of Armstrong Watson’s UK Challenge 2025 team. The event, set in the Lake District form 10th – 13th July, will see more than 80 other corporate teams from across the UK compete.
Michael is then due to take on the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella in November, while Lauren has qualified for the CCC next August – the UTMB world finals and one of the most prestigious races in the world.
