Just watch the way Tegla Loroupe's eyes dance as she talks about running and there's no doubt she loves the sport that's brought her fame, world records and fortune.

Get her in a quiet moment though and she will reveal the deep-rooted reason that spurs her to excel.

"I love running and it lets me visit many countries but it's really because of my sister's kids. My oldest sister died a few years ago and then their father left so I took them. I am sending them to boarding school.

"When you have extra persons to send to school and get a good education you need to have more money.

"When you don't have father or mother it's very difficult and I am very happy I can help them because of my running. They are doing very well in school," said the multi-world record-holder, now in Bermuda for International Race Weekend.

At 29, shouldering the economic responsibility for her six nieces and nephews as well as paying tuition fees for two sisters studying in the United States has made running more than simply a passion. It's a purpose.

Luckily, the lithe, soft-spoken native of Kapenguria, Kenya, has been able to achieve that rare balance of satisfying both herself and her loved ones with her talent.

For the past decade, she has been among the world's long-distance queens, with impressive victories in the marathon and other races throughout Europe and at major meets. In 1999, she set the then women's marathon record of 2:20.43 hours and currently holds three other world marks, including those for the 20,000 and 25,000 metres. In her opinion, her greatest achievement was a hat-trick of successes in the Half Marathon World Championships (1997-99).

Naturally being among an elite band of athletes brings some pressure but Loroupe has learnt to handle the tough times.

"You're a human being so it's normal to feel pressure but I can accept defeats. I always prepare myself but if I lose I just say it's not my time. I don't get upset."

That attitude helped soften the agonising double whammy of illness at both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics which saw all her discipline and training count for nought as she finished sixth on both occasions in the 10,000 metres.

"If I don't get the Olympics (medals) I have other medals and records that some others don't have," she reflected philosophically.

Still, the Germany-based athlete is relishing the chance to add that "missing" medal to her treasure chest of awards at next year's Athens Olympics.

However, this season her focus is the athletics World Championships in France where she is likely to contest the 10,000 metres. Her best World Championships finish is a bronze at that distance in 1999 in Seville, Spain.

However, Loroupe's abiding desire is to regain a cherished landmark.

"I want to take back my record for the marathon," she declared of the title now held by Britain's Paula Radcliffe (2:17.18).

Asked if she was actively trying to recapture it, she replied: "Well you have to stay healthy. When one is healthy you cannot predict what will happen. If one person did it, I think others can do it."

Come tomorrow morning, Bermuda will get a glimpse of this African's immense ability when she competes in the International 10K.

"It's always nice to come and encourage other women," said Loroupe who will also give a talk at a social function tomorrow evening.

As for the race itself, she has "no plans" but did concede that "everybody who runs wants to win".

Though not entertaining thoughts of breaking any records here, Loroupe - at her best - could threaten the 21-year-old mark of Norway's Grete Waitz. The former has a 10K best of 30.17 which is easily better than Waitz's 1982 time of 31.41.

Having enjoyed a few runs since arriving here on Wednesday, Loroupe pronounced the recent weather to be "very good for running" - an ominous signal to her opposition.

Eyes will also be on one Loroupe's compatriot Mary Ptikany who competes in Sunday's International Half Marathon.

Quiet in personality, this 26-year-old could create an uproar on the road as she is fresh from a blazing personal best of 1:12.18 last week in Japan.

While it was only good enough for 12th place in Japan, an encore of that performance here would shatter the current record of 1:16.06, set in 1995 by American Anne-Marie Letko.