THE SOUTH will be strongly represented at the World Duathlon Championships, to be held in Fredericia, Denmark in August.

Philip Mosley, 28, from Lyndhurst, will be competing in the long distance elite event after being chosen along with three others to represent Great Britain.

Mosley, a member of the Primera Bournemouth club studies sports science at University College Chichester and has recently received a Hampshire County Council sports bursary to help with training costs. He has high hopes for the championships, aiming to finish in the top 20 overall and to be the first British competitor to cross the finish line.

Duathlon, which is closely related to triathlon for which it serves as a qualifier at international level, involves a 20km run, followed by a 120km cycle and then a further 10km run, all without a break.

Around 40 to 50 countries are likely to be represented at the world championships with up to 1,000 competitors competing in waves on the same course which takes a gruelling six hours to complete.

Also competing in Denmark is Mick Anglim, 57, from Dibdon Purley who will be competing in the age-related division of the championships in the 55-60 category.

Having narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the short distance event, held in Belgium earlier this year, he is hopeful of gaining a position on the rostrum in Denmark.

Anglim is chairman of the Hardley Runners club which also has five of its members competing in the European Championships in Swansea later this year.

The British squad will arrive in Denmark fresh from their success in the world short distance championships in Belgium, over a 55km course.

Despite stiff competition from the hosts, who also look to be a threat in the long distance event, Britain was the highest ranking country with 14 medals overall and will look to capitalise in Denmark with strong chances in both the age related and women's divisions.