A TALENTED athlete will be stepping up his training regime after being selected to represent his country in a gruelling international duathlon.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College student Harry Robson will be part of the Team GB squad that takes part in the Duathlon World Championships in Denmark in July.
The 17-year-old will run and cycle in the 16-19 age category of the competition which attracts talented teenagers from around the globe.
Duathlons see competitors run 5K, cycle 20K, before running another 2.5K in a tough test of strength and endurance.
Harry, of Catterick Village, is a Richmond and Zetland Harrier and keen cyclist, sponsored by cycle specialists Triology.
He is actively looking for other sponsors to help finance the opportunity of a life time trip to Denmark.
Harry, who is studying CTEC sport and BTEC business at Richmond Sixth Form College, has been competing for the past three years, is ranked in the top four for his age in the country and was runner up in the qualifying events.
“It is going to be a tough event and I have a lot of training to complete before July,” said Harry, who each week trains six days and plans to up his cycling to at least 150km.
“I am really excited and I can’t wait to compete against the world’s elite young athletes. I’m looking for apprenticeships at the moment, something around which I can fit my training. I could also go into coaching or switch to running or cycling in the future.”
Head of sixth form and assistant headteacher Leslie Richardson said: “Harry is incredibly focussed and a great role model for the school.
“He is passionate about his running and cycling, dedicated to his training and I’m sure has everything he needs to be a success in the sport.”