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10 January 2007, 13:58. Kilimanjaro, all programs »


Elana Meyer (born October 10, 1966) is a former long distance runner from South Africa, who won the silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the 10 000 meters event.
Other achievements: World champion in half marathon, 1994. World record in half marathon, 1999. Several good places in the top marathon and half marathon races.


Since her retirement from competitive running in May 2005, Meyer has managed to fit in a host of things she never managed to do while competing, among them parachuting and mountaineering - she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year.

But latest developments may just mean the 40-year-old may swop mountains for maternity!

Currently dating former South African cross-country champion and middle-distance ace Jacques van Rensburg, Meyer says having children is definitely still on her agenda.

"I still want to attempt Mt Everest next May and climb Mt McKinley in Alaska and Elbrus in Russia as preparation but it does depend if I have kids or not... at my age the window`s closing and I would still definitely love to have children."

Kilimanjaro Climb.


"I took it slowly deliberately in the beginning," said Meyer, who must surely rank as one of the fittest athletes to conquer the 5 895m high peak. "I never had any of the usual problems associated with altitude, no headache, nausea, stomach problems. I did feel the cold and my toes got quite sore but that`s to be expected - it was -8°C when we reached the peak on Friday morning.

Mind you one of the guides thought there was a problem - Justo, who`s summited more than 200 times in his 15-year stint as a guide, was alarmed when checking Meyer`s pulse one morning. "He took my pulse, looked at me and said: `You`re not in good shape, your pulse is 46!`"

The former Olympian athlete usually has a resting pulse of 38 when she`s in shape, far lower than the average person`s 72 beats per minute. Would she recommend the experience? "Absolutely, I could get used to this type of life!"