Elana was born on the 10th of October 1966 in Albertinia in the Southern Cape, South Africa. At the tender age of eighteen months, she was nearly killed when, in a freak accident, she landed with her head under the wheels of a vehicle. Elana was rushed to the closest hospital, and miraculously survived. This incident has had a profound influence on the way in which Elana views and lives her life. She considers life a precious gift, and consequently lives every day to the fullest.
Early years
Elana, the second of four children, discovered her talent for running at an early age. At the age of thirteen, she entered and won her first official race – the FOOT OF AFRICA half marathon. Soon after that she started competing against the barefoot wonder, Zola Budd, who dominated South African athletics in the 1980s. Elana soon realized realised that if she wanted to be reach the top whether at national or international level – it would require hard work and a total dedication. During the 1980s, Elana achieved great success at national level, and was awarded her Springbok colours as a junior athlete.
Due to South Africas sporting isolation, Elana was initially prevented from competing internationally. This did not deter her, however, from using international standards and times as a benchmark for setting her own running goals. She also used these years to pursue her other goal that of completing her university studies. Elana was awarded her B.Comm and B.Comm (Hons) degrees as well as her Higher Education Diploma from the University of Stellenbosch. She then enrolled for a Masters degree in Marketing, but that had to be put aside temporarily in the interest of international racing when South Africas period of isolation ended in the early 1990s.
Olympics ‘92 – Making History
The defining moment of Elana’s career came soon thereafter. Competing in the Barcelona Olympics, South Africas first Olympic Games since 1960, Elana was the countrys best hope for a gold medal. Reflecting on being allowed to compete at the Olympics, Meyer said:
“t was amazing. I kept telling myself, ‘It is true, it is true, I am here.’ It was very emotional. I had waited such a long time.” It seemed that the entire nation was glued to their television sets as the athletes set off in the 10 000 meters, a race that would take over 30 minutes to complete. The country was not to be disappointed Elana won an historic Olympic medal.
However, the abiding memory of the event was created when the winner, Derartu Tulu from Ethiopia and Meyer, the silver medal winner, embraced, and then draped their respective flags around their shoulders and ran an historic victory lap together to massive applause from the crowd. Tulu’s victory was the first by a black African athlete at the Olympics, and the shared joy of the Ethiopian and Meyer, black and white united, was a victory for a South African nation that was rapidly uniting and approaching its first democratic elections
International Career
Showing her versatility, Meyer returned to winning form in the same year and the following year with African titles in the 1 500 metres.
Another 13 years on the International circuit followed, during which Elana broke five world records and won both a world cup and the world half marathon titles.
Between 1992, when she exploded onto the international scene, and 2005, when she retired, Elana performed consistently well on the world stage and was a feared and respected competitor wherever she competed. As one of her competitors once said: “If Elana Meyer is in the race you know it will be a hard and fast race.” At the age of 35, Elana broke the South African national 10km record in Budapest, and continued to race successfully until her retirement three years later.
The next stage
Elana officially retired from racing in January 2005, but one thing remains certain: she will continue to live life to the fullest. Elana believes that she now has the chance and opportunity to invest her energy and experience into projects that can inspire, empower and encourage others to similarly live life to the fullest. Having received so much encouragement and support from all South Africans during her years of domestic and international racing, Elana is now intent on making a positive contribution to the country she loves so dearly.
ELANA: A career without equal.
By Riel Hauman
Here can be little doubt that Elana Meyer is the best female distance runner produced in South Africa and, with Esther Brand, Zola Pieterse, Marjorie Clark, Daphne Hasenjager, Barbara Burke, Hestrie Cloete and Colleen de Reuck one of the top women athletes this country has seen.
This article attempts a statistical chronicle of Meyer’s 23-year career at national and international level, with the emphasis on road running the discipline where she has had her greatest success.
Between losing a mile race to Zola Pieterse in Bloemfontein on 18 February 1991 and finishing fifth over 1500 metres at the Nice Grand Prix on 15 July 1992, Meyer won 51 straight victories over a variety of distances and on all three surfaces as far as is known an unprecedented “streak” in the history of womens distance running.
She has set 23 South African records and near the end of 2001, in her very first race as a veteran (the veteran age limit set by Athletics South Africa is 35), established her first world age 35-39 record when she clocked an SA senior 10 km record of 31:13 in Budapest.
Meyer’s domination of the road running scene in South Africa is without peer and she is the only SA woman who has won a global road title. In her senior career she has lost only five times to another South African on the road:
| DATE |
SOUTH AFRICAN RUNNER |
RACE |
| 21 Jun 1986 |
Colleen de Reuck |
SA 10 km Championships |
| 22 Jul 1989 |
Colleen de Reuck |
SA 21.1 km Championships |
| 22 Sep 1990 |
Zola Pieterse Matthews |
Temane 10 km |
| 26 Jul 1997 |
Colleen de Reuck |
Bix 7-mile |
| 11 Oct 1998 |
Colleen de Reuck |
Chicago Marathon |
The following compilation of her 194 road races lists the date, race distance, time, position, venue, race name (for provincial and national championships as well as all international races) with indication of records, and race winner if it was not Meyer.
a = aided course
p = personal best
n/a = not available
1980
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 04 Oct |
Hmar |
87:10p |
(1)1 |
Bredasdorp |
Elana Meyer |
1984
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 24 Nov |
15 km |
53:18p |
5 |
Cape Town SA Ch |
Colleen Lindeque 51:02 |
1985
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 11 May |
8 km |
27:15p |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Dec |
Hmar |
79:16p |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
1986
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 21 Jun |
10 km |
35:38p |
2 |
Johannesburg SA Ch |
Colleen Lindeque 35:17 |
1987
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 26 Sep |
10 km |
34:41p |
1 |
Johannesburg SA Ch |
Elana Meyer |
1988
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 16 Jul |
Hmar |
76:42p |
1 |
Knysna |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Sep |
15 km |
52:45p |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 Dec |
Hmar |
76:41p |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
1989
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 11 Mar |
10 km |
34:36p |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 15 Apr |
10 km |
33:20p |
1 |
Durban |
Elana Meyer |
| 20 May |
8 km |
27:23 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Jul |
Hmar |
69:26p |
2 |
Durban SA Ch |
Colleen de Reuck 68:38 |
| 30 Sep |
15 km |
52:27p |
1 |
Verwoerdburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Oct |
10 km |
32:45p |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
1990
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 17 Feb |
10 km |
33:14 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Mar |
10 km |
34:11 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 May |
1 mile |
4:22 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 19 May |
10 km |
34:22 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Jun |
6 km |
19:22 |
1 |
Pinelands 6x6 km relay |
|
| 03 Jul |
2 km |
5:55 |
|
Maritzburg SA Univ 4x2 km relay |
|
| 21 Jul |
Hmar |
70:12 |
1 |
Durban SA Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Sep |
10 km |
33:59 |
2 |
Potchefstroom |
Zola Pieterse 33:05 |
| 29 Sep |
10 km |
32:59 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Oct |
10 km |
34:19 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 06 Oct |
15 km |
50:19p |
1 |
Milnerton WP Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 20 Oct |
10 km |
32:44 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Nov |
15 km |
48:17p |
1 |
Bellville SA Ch, SA record |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Nov |
10 km |
33:03 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 Nov |
1 mile |
4:32 |
1 |
Secunda |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Nov |
10 km |
32:22 |
1 |
Durban |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Dec |
10 km |
34:53 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth SA Univ Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 21 Dec |
1 mile |
4:30 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth |
Elana Meyer |
| 31 Dec |
1 mile |
4:43 |
1 |
Hartenbos |
Elana Meyer |
1991
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 12 Jan |
15 km |
49:063 |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
| 26 Jan |
10 km |
34:00 |
1 |
Hartebeespoort |
Elana Meyer |
| 16 Feb |
10 km |
35:59 |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Mar |
10 km |
34:02 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 13 Apr |
5 km |
16:03p |
1 |
Pretoria |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 May |
10 km |
31:33p |
1 |
Durban SA record |
Elana Meyer |
| 18 May |
Hmar |
67:59p |
1 |
East London SA Ch, (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 15 Jun |
15 km |
49:34 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Jun |
10 km |
35:11 |
1 |
George SWD Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 13 Jul |
Hmar |
74:29 |
1 |
Knysna |
Elana Meyer |
| 21 Sep |
10 km |
31:51 |
1 |
Potchefstroom |
Elana Meyer |
| 28 Sep |
15 km |
55:14 |
1 |
Great Brak River |
Elana Meyer |
| 05 Oct |
15 km |
47:40 |
1 |
Milnerton WP Ch, SA record |
Elana Meyer |
| 02 Nov |
15 km |
46:57p |
1 |
Cape Town SA Ch, (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 16 Nov |
1 mile |
4:34 |
1 |
Secunda |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Nov |
10 km |
33:16 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 07 Dec |
10 km |
33:38 |
1 |
Bloemfontein SA Univ Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 31 Dec |
1 mile |
4:40 |
1 |
Hartenbos |
Elana Meyer |
1992
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 15 Feb |
10 km |
32:38 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Jan |
9.98 km |
34:024 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Apr |
5 km |
16:21 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 02 May |
10 km |
33:30 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 May |
10 km |
34:57 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 May |
15 km |
48:57 |
1 |
Durban |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Oct |
10 km |
34:13 |
1 |
Potchefstroom |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Nov |
10 km |
32:58 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 21 Nov |
10 km |
32:31 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Dec |
10 km |
33:53 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 26 Dec |
10 km |
36:04 |
1 |
Hartenbos |
Elana Meyer |
1993
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 24 Jan |
Hmar |
67:22ap |
1 |
Tokyo Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 May |
Hmar |
73:46 |
1 |
Wellington |
Elana Meyer |
| 02 Oct |
15 km |
49:23 |
1 |
Milnerton WP ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 16 Oct |
1 mile |
N/A |
|
|
|
| 23 Oct |
10 km |
33:37 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Nov |
10 km |
32:58 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 13 Nov |
10 km |
32:50 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Dec |
10 km |
34:05 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 15 Dec |
10 km |
34:15 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 31 Dec |
1 mile |
4:43 |
1 |
Hartenbos |
Elana Meyer |
1994
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 08 Jan |
15 km |
52:23 |
1 |
Milnerton |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Jan |
Hmar |
69:04a |
2 |
Tokyo Hmar |
Junko Kataoka 68:41 |
| 26 Feb |
15 km |
48:11 |
1 |
Tampas Gasparilla |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Apr |
10 km |
33:01 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 18 Apr |
Mar |
2:25:15ap |
3 |
Boston Marathon |
Uta Pippig 2:21:45 |
| 21 May |
Hmar |
76:41 |
1 |
Wellington |
Elana Meyer |
| 29 May |
15 km |
DNF |
DNF |
La Courneuve |
|
| 25 Jun |
10 km |
34:27 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Sep |
Hmar |
68:36 |
1 |
Oslo World Champs |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Oct |
10 km |
31:39 |
1 |
Boston Tufts |
Elana Meyer |
| 16 Oct |
5 km |
15:10p |
1 |
Providence Harvard Health, (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Dec |
10 km |
34:28 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
1995
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 07 Jan |
15 km |
52:33 |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Jan |
Hmar |
68:58a |
2 |
Tokyo Hmar |
Tegla Loroupe 68:39 |
| 04 Feb |
10 km |
36:50 |
1 |
Nelspruit |
Elana Meyer |
| 25 Feb |
Hmar |
70:14 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Mar |
15 km |
49:36 |
1 |
Duynefontein |
Elana Meyer |
| 15 Mar |
10 km |
32:35 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Apr |
10 km |
32:38 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 Apr |
Mar |
2:26:51a |
2 |
Boston Marathon |
Uta Pippig 2:25:11 |
| 01 Aug |
Hmar |
80:00 |
1 |
Clanwilliam |
Elana Meyer |
1996
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 02 Mar |
15 km |
51:52 |
1 |
Duynefontein |
Elana Meyer |
| 27 Apr |
10 km |
33:36 |
1 |
Johannesburg |
Elana Meyer |
| 05 May |
10 km |
32:00 |
1 |
Cleveland Revco |
Elana Meyer |
| 19 May |
12 km |
38:56ap |
1 |
San Francisco Bay to Breakers |
Elana Meyer |
| 27 May |
10 km |
33:22a |
1 |
Boulder |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Jul |
6 km |
18:59p |
1 |
London Carlton Run |
Elana Meyer |
| 28 Jul |
Mar |
DNF |
DNF |
Atlanta Olympic Games |
|
| 14 Dec |
10 km |
32:27 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
1997
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 18 Jan |
10 km |
32:39 |
1 |
Hamilton Bermuda Internet |
Elana Meyer |
| 25 Jan |
15 km |
48:48 |
1 |
Tampa Gasparilla |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Feb |
10 km |
32:32 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 Mar |
15 km |
51:17 |
1 |
Duynefontein |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Mar |
Hmar |
67:36 |
1 |
Kyoto Hmar (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 05 Apr |
10 km |
31:19 |
1 |
Charleston Cooper River Bridge |
Elana Meyer SA Record |
| 21 Apr |
Mar |
2:27:09a |
2 |
Boston Marathon |
Fatuma Roba 2:26:23 |
| 24 May |
10 km |
34:44 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 07 Jun |
10 km |
32:08 |
3 |
New York Advil Mini Marathon |
Tegla Loroupe 31:45 |
| 14 Jun |
10 km |
32:22 |
1 |
Gren Bay Bellin Run |
Elana Meyer |
| 19 Jul |
8 km |
25:52p |
1 |
Kingsport Crazy 8's |
Elana Meyer |
| 26 Jul |
11.26 km |
38:33 |
7 |
Davenport Bix 7-Mile |
Colleen de Reuck 37:34 |
| 30 Aug |
N/A |
22:03 |
|
Cape Town Relay |
|
| 13 Sep |
10 km |
32:21 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 20 Sep |
15 km |
49:20 |
1 |
Blouberg Strand WP Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Sep |
5 km |
15:13 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Oct |
Hmar |
DNF |
|
Kosice World Ch |
|
| 15 Nov |
15 km |
51:36 |
1 |
Melkbos Strand |
Elana Meyer |
| 30 Nov |
Mar |
2:31:00 |
5 |
Tokyo Int Marathon |
Makiko Ito 2:27:45 |
1998
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 17 Jan |
15 km |
52:32 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 31 Jan |
10 km |
32:06 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Feb |
10 km |
32:12 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Mar |
Hmar |
67:29 |
1 |
Kyoto Hmar (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Apr |
10 km |
32:19 |
1 |
Charleston Cooper River Bridge |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 Aug |
21.1 km |
79:58 |
1 |
Clanwilliam |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Aug |
10 km |
32:19 |
1 |
George |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Sep |
5 km |
15:24 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 13 Sep |
Hmar |
71:37 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 27 Sep |
Hmar |
68:32 |
2 |
Zurich World Champs |
Tegla Lorupe 68:29 |
| 11 Oct |
Mar |
2:27:20 |
3 |
Chicago Marathon |
Joyce Chepchumba 2:23:57 |
| 24 Oct |
Hmar |
78:02 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Nov |
10 km |
32:14 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 28 Nov |
10 km |
31:40 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth SA Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 06 Dec |
4.78 km |
15:00 |
2 |
Geneve Course de l'Escalade |
Anita Weyermann 14:56 |
| 15 Dec |
10 km |
33:13 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
1999
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 15 Jan |
Hmar |
66:44p |
1 |
Tokyo Hmar (WR) |
Elana Meyer |
| 30 Jan |
10 km |
31:43 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Mar |
Hmar |
67:57 |
1 |
Kyoto Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 18 Apr |
Mar |
2:27:18 |
5 |
London Marathon |
Joyce Chepchumba 2:23:22 |
| 27 Apr |
10 km |
32:58 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 16 May |
12 km |
38:39ap |
2 |
San Francisco Bay to Breakers |
Catherine Ndereba 38:37 |
| 22 May |
10 km |
32:29 |
6 |
New York Avon Mini Mar |
Tegla Loroupe 31:48 |
| 31 May |
10 km |
33:16 |
7 |
Boulder Bolder |
Lidia Simon 32:30 |
| 12 Jun |
10 km |
32:05 |
2 |
Green Bay Bellin Run |
Tegla Loroupe 31:48 |
| 20 Jun |
8 km |
25:48p |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Jul |
10 km |
31:34a8 |
1 |
Atlanta Peachtree |
Elana Meyer |
| 31 Jul |
Hmar |
72:19 |
1 |
Namakgale |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Aug |
Hmar |
70:20 |
1 |
Durban SA Champs |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Aug |
15 km |
50:39 |
1 |
Blouberg Strand WP Champs |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Sep |
5 km |
15:17 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 19 Sep |
Hmar |
70:56 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Oct |
Hmar |
70:20 |
8 |
Palermo World Ch |
Tegla Lorupe 68:48 |
| 24 Oct |
Mar |
2:27:17 |
3 |
Chicago Marathon |
Joyce Chepchumba 2:25:59 |
| 27 Nov |
10 km |
32:01 |
1 |
Port Elizebeth SA Champs |
Elana Meyer |
| 05 Dec |
4.78 km |
15:06 |
2 |
Geneve Course de l’Escalade |
Merima Denboba 14:51 |
| 16 Dec |
10 km |
32:50 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
2000
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 10 Jan |
Hmar |
67:33 |
1 |
Tokyo Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 20 Feb |
Hmar |
81:37 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 12 Mar |
Hmar |
69:04 |
1 |
Sendai Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 Apr |
Mar |
2:32:09a |
1 |
Boston Marathon |
Catherine Ndereba 2:26:11 |
| 14 May |
8 km |
25:35p |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Jun |
10 km |
31:28 |
2 |
Tilburg |
Lornah Kiplagat 31:14 |
| 10 Jun |
10 km |
32:33 |
1 |
Green Bay Bellin Run |
Elana Meyer |
| 02 Jul |
Hmar |
69:53 |
2 |
Sapporo Hmar |
Naoko Takahashi 69:10 |
| 14 Oct |
10 km |
32:36 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth SA Ch |
Elana Meyer |
| 22 Oct |
Mar |
2:31:59 |
4 |
Chicago Marathon |
Catherine Ndereba 2:21:33 |
| 03 Dec |
4.78 km |
15:08 |
5 |
Geneve Course de l'Escalade |
Lornah Kiplagat 14:48 |
2001
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 06 Jan |
Hmar |
69:42 |
1 |
Miyazaki Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 03 Feb |
10 km |
31:56 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 18 Feb |
10 km |
31:39 |
2 |
San Juan World’s Best |
Lornah Kiplagat 31:37 |
| 11 Mar |
Hmar |
70:12 |
1 |
Sendai Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Mar |
10 km |
34:20 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 Apr |
Hmar |
68:50a9 |
7 |
Lisbon Hmar |
Susan Chepkemei 65:44 |
| 08 Apr |
10 miles |
52:16 |
1 |
Washington DC Cherry Blossom |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Apr |
10 km |
32:07a |
1 |
New Orleans Crescent City |
Elana Meyer |
| 29 Apr |
10 km |
32:00 |
2 |
Cleveland CVS |
Sally Barsosio 31:43 |
| 06 May |
12 km |
39:23 |
1 |
Spokane Lilac Bloomsday |
Elana Meyer |
| 19 May |
8 km |
26:29 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Jun |
10 km |
32:31 |
1 |
Green Bay Bellin Run |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Jul |
10 km |
31:52a |
3 |
Atlanta Peachtree |
Lornah Kiplagat 30:58 |
| 08 Jul |
15 km |
48:11 |
2 |
Utica Boilermaker |
Catherine Ndereba 48:06 |
| 28 Jul |
Hmar |
72:25 |
1 |
Namakgale |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Aug |
10 km |
32:19a |
3 |
Cape Elizabeth Beach to Beacon |
Catherine Ndereba 31:34 |
| 12 Aug |
11.27 km |
36:54a |
3 |
Falmouth |
Lornah Kiplagat 36:26 |
| 02 Sep |
Mar |
2:44:01a |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Sep |
10 km |
33:43 |
1 |
Vanderbijlpark SA CH |
Elana Meyer |
| 24 Sep |
Hmar |
82:18 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 07 Oct |
Hmar |
68:56 |
6 |
Bristol World Champs |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Oct |
10 km |
31:13p |
2 |
Budapest Avon Ch SA Record (#) |
Catherine Ndereba 31:02 |
| 04 Nov |
Mar |
2:31:43 |
10 |
NY City Marathon |
Margaret Okayo 2:24:21 |
| 17 Nov |
10 km |
33:34 |
1 |
Port Elizabeth |
Elana Meyer |
| 25 Nov |
10 km |
32:59 |
1 |
Cape Town |
Elana Meyer |
| 02 Dec |
Mar |
2:32:53 |
1 |
Pacific Marathon |
Elana Meyer |
| 08 Dec |
10 km |
34:40 |
1 |
Belle-Mare Mauritius |
Elana Meyer |
2002
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 30 Jan |
10 km |
36:22 |
1 |
Strand |
Elana Meyer |
| 17 Feb |
10 km |
32:31 |
3 |
San Juan World’s Best |
Paula Radcliffe 30:43 |
| 24 Feb |
10 km |
32:23 |
1 |
Pinelands |
Elana Meyer |
| 10 Mar |
Hmar |
71:54 |
1 |
Sendai Hmar |
Elana Meyer |
| 14 Mar |
10 km |
33:25 |
1 |
Stellenbosch |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Mar |
10 km |
dnf |
- |
Mobile Azalea Trail Run |
|
| 08 Jun |
10 km |
33:02 |
1 |
Green Bay Bellin Run |
Elana Meyer |
| 07 Jul |
Hmar |
71:51 |
10 |
Sapporo Hmar |
Catherine Ndereba 68:57 |
| 27 Jul |
Hmar |
76:20 |
1 |
Namakgale |
Elana Meyer |
| 09 Aug |
10 km |
32:51 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 Sep |
Hmar |
73:10 |
7 |
Virginia Beach Rock n Roll |
Adriana Fernandez 70:21 |
| 15 Sep |
5 km |
15:24 |
2 |
Providence Downtown |
Asmae Leghzaoui 15:06 |
| 22 Sep |
10 km |
32:40 |
2 |
London Run |
Paula Radcliff 30:38 |
| 06 Oct |
Hmar |
71:36a |
7 |
South Shields Great North Run |
Sonia O'Sullivan 67:19 |
| 09 Nov |
Hmar |
75:43 |
1 |
Melkbos Strand |
Elana Meyer |
| 13 Nov |
10 km |
33:30 |
1 |
Parow |
Elana Meyer |
| 23 Nov |
10 km |
32:33 |
1 |
Kraaifontein |
Elana Meyer |
| 01 Dec |
Mar |
dnf |
- |
Mazatlan Pacific Marathon |
|
2003
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 02 Feb |
10 km |
32:17a |
3 |
Kuta Bali Solidarity Run |
Benita Johnson 31:39 |
| 23 Feb |
10 km |
33:26 |
6 |
San Juan World's Best |
Paula radcliffe 30:21 |
| 21 Apr |
Mar |
dnf |
- |
Boston Marathon |
|
| 21 Jun |
15 km |
48:14 |
1 |
Mamre |
Elana Meyer |
| 05 Jul |
15 km |
51:49 |
1 |
Eerste River |
Elana Meyer |
| 20 Jul |
Hmar |
74:28 |
2 |
Johannesburg |
Galine Alexandrova 73:40 |
| 26 Jul |
Hmar |
75:15 |
1 |
Namakgale |
Elana Meyer |
| 07 Sep |
5 km |
16:18 |
8 |
Providence Downtown |
Maria Davenport 15:24 |
| 20 Dec |
10 km |
35:24 |
1 |
Onrus |
Elana Meyer |
2004
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
POS |
RACE |
RACE WINNER |
| 18 Jan |
Hmar |
79:04 |
1 |
Cape Point |
Elana Meyer |
| 28 Jan |
10 km |
34:46 |
1 |
Bellville |
Elana Meyer |
| 04 Feb |
10 km |
dnf |
- |
Strand |
|
| 18 Feb |
10 km |
dnf |
- |
Stellenbosch |
|
| 29 Feb |
10 km |
34:05 |
14 |
San Juan World's Best |
Lornah Kiplagat 30:41 |
| 07 Mar |
Mar |
dnf |
- |
Los Angeles Marathon |
|
| 12 Jun |
10 km |
34:49 |
2 |
Green Bay Bellin Run |
Elva Dryer 32:35 |
| 20 Nov |
Hmar |
84:40 |
3 |
Lagos |
Jennifer Chesinon 76:34 |
Annual progression in track events
| YEAR |
1500m |
3000m |
5000m |
10000m |
| 1981 |
4:29.8 |
10:00.2 |
- |
- |
| 1982 |
4:18.10 |
9:24.9 |
- |
- |
| 1983 |
4:18.68 |
9:09.32 |
- |
- |
| 1984 |
4:15.9 |
9:12.20 |
15:59.62 |
- |
| 1985 |
4:11.9 |
8:12.20 |
- |
- |
| 1986 |
4:21.41 |
9:17.16 |
- |
- |
| 1987 |
4:11.13 |
8:52.39 |
- |
- |
| 1988 |
4:11.41 |
8:54.84 |
- |
- |
| 1989 |
4:14.8 |
8:55.78 |
15:35.07 |
32:28.9 |
| 1990 |
4:14.44 |
8:54.83 |
- |
- |
| 1991 |
4:08.83 |
8:32.00 |
14:49.35 |
31:33.46 |
| 1992 |
4:02.15 |
8:38.45 |
14:44.15 |
31:11.75 |
| 1993 |
4:07.90 |
8:32.81 |
14:46.41 |
32:28.02 |
| 1994 |
- |
9:02.43 |
15:25.59 |
30:52.51 |
| 1995 |
- |
8:44.70 |
14:44.05 |
31:23.96 |
| 1996 |
- |
- |
15:19.56 |
32:23.53 |
| 1997 |
- |
- |
- |
33:05.82 |
| 1998 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1999 |
- |
- |
15:42.76 |
32:15.25 |
| 2000 |
- |
- |
14:57.48 |
31:14.70 |
| 2001 |
- |
- |
- |
32:56.29 |
Other personal bests
| YEAR |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
| 1985 |
800m |
2:06.23 |
| 1987 |
1000m |
2:43.63 |
| 1989 |
1 mile |
4:30.21 |
| 1992 |
2000m |
5:40.7 |
Championship races in tract and cross-country
1979
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 26th |
SA u.14 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
1981
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 3rd |
SA u.16 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 14th |
SA u.16 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
1982
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
SA u.16 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 3rd |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 4th |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 7th |
SA u.16 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
1983
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SA u.19 |
1500m & 3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 3rd |
SA u.19 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 3rd |
SA u.19 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 4nd |
SA u.19 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
1984
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA u.19 |
3000m |
SA Champs |
9:22.07 |
| 2nd |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 3rd |
SA u.19 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 4th |
SA u.19 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
1985
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA u.21 |
3000m |
SA Champs |
9:13.68 |
| 1st |
SA u.19 |
3000m |
SA Champs |
8:58.73 |
| 2nd |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SA u.19 |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SA u.19 |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SA |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SAU |
1500m & 3000m |
SA University Champs |
- |
1986
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 3rd |
SA |
XC |
SA Champs |
- |
| 1st |
SAU |
1500m & 3000m |
SA University Champs |
- |
1987
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
SA |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
9:00.18 |
| 1st |
SA u.21 |
3000m |
SA Champs |
9:07.76 |
| 1st |
SA |
XC 5km |
SA Champs |
16:59 |
| 1st |
SAU |
1500m & 3000m |
SA University Champs |
- |
1988
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
9:13.50 |
| 1st |
SA |
XC 5km |
SA Champs |
17:42 |
| 3rd |
SA |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
1989
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
8:56.46 |
| 1st |
SA |
XC 6km |
SA Champs |
21:07 |
| 2nd |
SA |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
1990
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA |
XC 6km |
SA Champs |
20:44 |
| 2nd |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 4th |
SA |
1500m |
SA Champs |
- |
| 1st |
SAU |
3000m, 10km road & XC |
SA University Champs |
- |
| 2nd |
SAU |
1500m |
SA University Champs |
- |
1991
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA |
10000m |
SA Champs |
32:13.13 |
| 1st |
SA |
XC 6lm |
SA Champs |
19:58 |
| 1st |
SAU |
3000m, 10km road & XC |
SA University Champs |
- |
1992
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
OG |
10000m |
Olympic Games |
- |
| 1st |
AG |
1500m |
African Games |
4:18.44 |
| 1st |
SA |
1500m |
SA Champs |
4:12.33 |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
8:46.23 |
1993
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 6th |
World |
XC |
World Games |
- |
| dnf |
World |
10000m |
World Games |
- |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
4:12.56 |
| 1st |
SA |
3000m |
SA Champs |
8:41.64 |
| 2nd |
SA |
XC 6km |
SA Champs |
19:50 |
1994
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
WC |
10000m |
World Cup |
30:52.51 |
| 6th |
World |
XC |
World Games |
19:58 |
| 2nd |
CG |
10000m |
Comonwealth Games |
- |
1995
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 5th |
World |
10000m |
World Games |
- |
1996
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
SA |
10000m |
SA Champs |
- |
1997
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 17th |
World |
10000m |
World Games |
- |
1999
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 2nd |
AAG |
5000m |
All Africa Games |
- |
| 1nd |
SA |
10000m |
SA Champs |
32:15.25 |
2000
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 8th |
OG |
10000m |
Olympic Games |
- |
| 1st |
SA |
10000m |
SA Champs |
31:47.32 |
2001
| POSITION |
DIVISION |
DISTANCE |
EVENT |
TIME |
| 1st |
SA |
10000m |
SA Champs |
35:56.29 |
Medals in SA Championships
| |
|
TRACK |
ROAD |
X-COUNTRY |
| Gold |
30 |
14 (2 u.21, 2 u.19) |
10 |
6 |
| Silver |
14 |
11 (3 u.19, 1 u.16) |
2 |
1 (u.19) |
| Bronze |
5 |
4 (1 u.19, 1 u.16) |
0 |
1 |
SA records
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
LOCATION |
| 24 Nov 1984 |
15 km (jr) |
53:18 |
Cape Town |
| 07 Nov 1987 |
2000m |
5:42.15 |
Stellenbosch |
| 22 Jul 1989 |
10 km |
31:47 |
Durban |
| 05 Oct 1989 |
10 000m |
32:28.9 |
Stellenbosch |
| 03 Nov 1990 |
15 km |
48:17 |
Bellville |
| 08 Apr 1991 |
5000m |
14:49.35 |
Cape Town |
| 19 Apr 1991 |
10000m |
32:13.13 |
Pretoria |
| 29 Apr 1991 |
3000m |
8:32.00 |
Durban |
| 04 May 1991 |
10 km |
31:33 |
Durban |
| 18 May 1991 |
21.1 km |
67:59* |
East London |
| 05 Oct 1991 |
15 km |
47:40 |
Milnerton |
| 02 Nov 1991 |
15 km |
46:57* |
Cape Town |
| 23 Dec 1991 |
10000m |
31:33.46 |
Cape Town |
| 06 Mar 1992 |
5000m |
14:44.15 |
Bellville |
| 07 Aug 1992 |
10000m |
31:11.75 |
Barcelona |
| 10 Sep 1994 |
10000m |
30:52.51 |
London |
| 16 Oct 1994 |
5km |
15:10* |
Providence |
| 22 Jul 1995 |
5000m |
14:44.05 |
Hechtel |
| 09 Mar 1997 |
21.1 km |
67:36* |
Kyoto |
| 05 Apr 1997 |
10 km |
31:19 |
Charleston |
| 08 Mar 1998 |
21.1 km |
67:29* |
Kyoto |
| 15 Jan 1999 |
21.1 km |
66:44* |
Tokyo |
| 14 Oct 2001 |
10 km |
31:13# |
31:13# |
In addition, she ran the following SA road bests (fastest times on aided courses):
| DATE |
DISTANCE |
TIME |
LOCATION |
| 24 Jan 1993 |
21.1 km |
67:22 |
Tokyo |
(*) Also a world record
(#) Also a world veteran (35+) record
