A WOMAN who started running as a way of keeping fit is now representing Britain in the World Triathlon Championships.

Helen Wootton, from the Arboretum, in Worcester, is due to fly out to Queenstown, New Zealand in December to compete in the 2003 World Champion-ships.

She was picked for the team after only two years in the sport, having performed well enough in races up and down the country during the summer.

The 34-year-old architect - who has just completed a £12m eight-storey office development in Birmingham's city centre - will compete in the 30 to 35-year-old age group.

She originally started running while living and working on the island of Kyushu, in Japan.

"I never thought I could run but I reached thirty and thought I'd better start looking after myself.

"Then a friend asked me to be a member of her relay team and I had a really good day.

"Everybody in the club made me really welcome - I think they enjoyed the novelty of having a foreigner in their team!"

On her return to England in 2001, Helen went to a women's triathlon training weekend just "out of interest".

"The coach, Brian Welsh, said if I wanted, he would help me, and he's been helping me ever since."

She joined the Worcester Triathlon Club, which uses the Sansome Walk Pool, in Worcester, for swimming training, and also the Worcester Athletics Club, based at Nunnery Wood Sports Centre.

"I also picked up a training partner, Kevin May, and he's been dragging me around on runs - he's killing me but he's improving my times!"

For the cycling part of the event, Helen's training has included some long distance rides. In April, she cycled 190 miles from the West coast of England to the East coast, and in July, she cycled 500 miles in a charity ride for Macmillan Nurses, from the most southerly tip of Ireland to the most northerly tip.

Her greatest challenge has been the 902-mile John O'Groats to Land's End ride, which she did in 53 hours, in September.

"I am thrilled to be competing in the World Championships," said Helen, who is a director of Glazzard Architects, in Worcester.

"I set myself a goal that I wanted to compete for Great Britain by 40 and I have done it six years early. But I must admit, after the race, I am looking forward to relaxing!"