OXFORD’S Charlotte Harris marked her rapid progress in duathlon with a silver medal at the European Champion-ships.

And now the 30-year-old, who focused on running until last year, is hoping to compete at the sport’s world championships in Ottawa, Canada at the end of August.

Harris took part in her first duathlon, which is a run-bike-run event, at the end of last year and immediately showed promise.

She qualified for Britain’s age group team in February before taking second place in the 30-35 age group at the European Championships in Horst, Holland.

Harris clocked 18mins 7secs for her opening 5km run, 38.13 for the 20km bike and 10.29 for the closing 2.8km run – giving her an overall time of 1.08.42.

“I am very new to duathlon and only bought my first road bike at the end of last summer after a persistent knee injury from too much running,” said former Headington Road Runner Harris.

“I competed in Holland on the same entry-level road bike I bought last year.

“At age group level, you have to fund all your kit and travel yourself, so I am desperately seeking sponsorship, so I can go to Canada at the end of the summer to compete in the World championships.”

Harris has already qualified for the world championships, but she said: “It is just whether I can afford to go.

“I want to get a good few months of training in and go out there with the idea that I could medal again.

“If I can improve on my bike, I would have a real chance.”

Harris’s kit was paid for by the Fit2Run shop in Abingdon, where her running coach Dave Parsons also works.

She also has personal training and bike coaching from Goose Dean, who is based at Iffley Road.

Contact Harris on charlotteharris99@gmail.com