A TEENAGER who was born premature with holes in her heart has defied the odds and been selected to represent GB at the cross country world championships.

Megan Harris, an 18-year-old from Leigh, is a south Essex runner who has been selected for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Australia.

The up-and-coming superstar is a twin, and was born five weeks early and weighing less than four pounds. 

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When Megan was born, doctors found she had two holes in her heart, and she was referred to the Royal Brompton Hospital, in London.

Thankfully, after being monitored for six months, Megan didn’t need to undergo surgery, or any major treatment as the holes had closed themselves.

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Now, Megan has been selected to represent Great Britain and will head to Australia next week.

She said: “When I found out I was feeling all emotions, it is a dream come true for me.

“All the hard work is payoff, and after suffering an injury at the last track season, if someone had told me I would then be selected and running at the world championships at the next cross country season, I would have never believed you.

“For the future, soon I will be focusing on my transition from cross country to track, and then the Olympics is my main goal.

“One day I would love to complete in the Olympics.”

World Athletics Cross Country Championships has a number of different races for all ages, but Megan will be taking part in a 6km race in the under 20s section.

Megan and her sister Madison grew up in Leigh and attended Blenheim Primary School.

She started running aged seven and has continued ever since, running for Basildon and Chelmsford running clubs.

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Her mum Claire Edwards, 47, said she is so proud, and hope this shows other parents what premature babies can achieve.

She said: “It is just incredible to see how Megan has gone from being just over three pounds as a baby with holes in her heart, to now be going to Australia to represent her country.

“It must scare so many parents when you have premature children, but I want this to show others that their children can still overcome this and reach their dreams.

“I am so proud of Megan, I don’t know who is more excited or proud though, me or her twin Madison, they just both amazing, and it makes being a parent worth a while.”