VETERAN Kent athlete Denise Farnham is on course for a notable double by reaching the finals of the national biathlon championships. Farnham, from Sturry, near Canterbury, already holds the national and world biathle titles in her age group, and is now bidding to land the national biathlon crown.

The 46-year-old took a biathlon silver last season, and aims to go one better in Sheffield next month. Qualifying for that event took place at Erith where Farnham produced an excellent 100m swim time of 1minute 29seconds. Last year in the same pool she clocked 1.35.

She completed the 1,000m run in 3.22, finishing with a personal best points tally of 2,366 to be the leading qualifier from the south east region.

The national biathlon championships run from November 24-25 but before that, on October 21, Farnham competes in the 1500m freestyle at the ASA Masters swimming Championships, which are also at Sheffield.

Her success in the world biathle championships, an event which incorporates a 100m swim sandwiched between two 1,000m runs, came in Germany in September. She had earlier lifted the national title, at the first attempt, at Bath in July.