Elana plans to climb Everest
06/09/2006 21:34  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

Meyer retires with motivation

Eben Human, Die Burger

Cape Town - Former Olympic Games long-distance athlete Elana Meyer will make a one-off onslaught on the Two Oceans ultra-marathon title over 56km here on April 7 next year.

"I am going to train flat-out and try to win it," Meyer said on Wednesday.

Nick Bester, a former winner of the Comrades ultra-marathon, was overjoyed when he heard the news. "She can win it," he said. "She just needs a little weight."

Bester feels Meyer should also do some gymnasium work to be stronger on the long hills at Chapman's Peak and Constantia Neck.

Assisting Meyer with her preparations will be former "Comrades King" Bruce Fordyce. She has already approached the nine-time Comrades winner for advice.

"The running remains part of my big aim - to reach the crest of Everest in 2008 - the Stellenbosch athlete said on Wednesday.

She added that she would in her build-up towards the Two Oceans run a marathon to achieve a qualifying time.

"The idea of the Two Oceans really excites me," she said. "It's the most scenic route in the world and I am looking forward to running it."

Reached the summit of Kilimanjaro

Meyer has an impressive record. She won a silver medal in the 10 000m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, held world road-racing records in the 15km and half-marathon and was world half-marathon champion. She has also reached the summit of Kilimanjaro.

She will be 40 on October 10 and will make her Two Oceans debut in the veterans' category.

Earlier this year, she experienced the Two Oceans from the back of the media vehicle. The bug certain bit.

Asked about Bester's comment that she should be a little heavier for the Two Oceans, she said, "My pants are a little tight at present. I feel about 2 kg overweight."

In her heyday she used to weight 43 kg.

More good news is that Namibian athlete Helaria Johannes will be back in the Cape on October 21 to compete in the SA 10km road-running championship at Stellenbosch.

The 26-year-old Harmony runner won the Spar women's 10km race in Newlands last weekend, clocking 33min 42sec.

Bester predicted that she would be hard to beat in the battle for the SA title.

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile