CHRIS Roxburgh is playing the long game as he targets a place at next year’s major Powerman championships.

The 29-year-old, who has twice competed in the World Duathlon Championships, is aiming to up the ante in 2015 as he sets his sights on the long-distance Powerman European and World Championships.

The former event is made up of a 15k run, 60k cycle and 7.5k run, in the Netherlands, with the latter featuring a 10k run, 150k cycle and 30k run, and take place in Switzerland.

Roxburgh tested out his endurance skills with a time of 1:16:45 at last month’s Bristol half marathon and also tasted national success with a bronze medal in the 30-34 age group at last Sunday’s British Age Group Duathlon Championships (1:58:19) at Emberton Country Park, near Milton Keynes.

The Westbury Leigh duathlete, who works as a paramedic for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, was disappointed with his a 21st-placed finish at June’s World Duathlon Championships in Spain and is hoping to fare better when he brings on the power.

“My coach said to me that I was in good nick at the Bristol half marathon and if I went to the British champs, I’d probably come away with a medal,” said Roxburgh.

“I’ve been working with a new coach called Mark Livesey.

“He’s from up in Yorkshire and he’s just helped his wife to third-place in the Ironman World Championships in Kona (in Hawaii).

“It’s more of a remote thing but he knows my old coach, Andy McKenzie, and I’d love to go up and train with him.

“I was really happy with that bronze medal and I’ve decided that I want to go for the Powerman events next year.

“There aren’t any qualifying races – you just have to prove your quality.

“The UK Powerman race is going to be in Sherborne and I’m going to concentrate on these long-distance races now. I feel like I’ve been improving a lot.’’

He added: “It’s going to be tough but I’ve got a supportive girlfriend (Emma), who doesn’t mind me being out of the house training all the time.”

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