She also likes exotic places.

So when the opportunity arrived to come to Bermuda and compete at this weekend's International Race Weekend alongside the likes of top Kenyan runner Salina Chircir and defending champion Carole Zajac of the United States, the South African distance runner jumped at the chance.

"It's always fun to run in a new place and I must say I'm glad I came, it's so beautiful here,'' said Meyer, who had not been in Bermuda 12 hours before heading out to view the 10-kilometre course.

"I was already going to run the Gasparilla 15K (in Tampa, Florida), so I decided to do the Bermuda 10K too. For me it makes more sense to come over for two races being that I'm coming all the way from South Africa.'' More than the scenery, she was looking forward to taking on Chircir and Zajac in Saturday morning's 10 km.

You see, Meyer, 30, disdains races where she so easily outclasses the field that she ends up running solo, racing the clock. She would much rather have someone nipping at her heels -- or vice-versa.

Coming off a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury incurred during last year's Olympic marathon in Atlanta, which put her on the shelf for 12 weeks, Meyer is anxious to see just how far she has come -- or fallen.

She's been training the past two months and recently clocked a time of 32 minutes and 26 seconds in winning a 10 km race in her homeland on a relatively flat course. Still, she remains unsure of her status.

"I'm in pretty good shape, not 100 percent, but I'm almost there and this place will help me to see if I'm back into my old shape again,'' said Meyer, who captured a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. "I'm looking forward to having a real race, it's always nicer than to be involved in a time trial.

"I think's it's going to be a tough race because the Kenyan has a very fast 10K time, which makes for a good challenge and an exciting and competitive race.'' Chirchir, 28, is a former world junior champion with a personal best of 31:35.

Zajac, 24, is a two-time NCAA cross-country champion and won last year's International Race Weekend 10 km in 34:18.

"I was expecting a bit flatter course -- I was checking it out (yesterday) morning -- but it's a great run and a challenging run with a couple of hills,'' said Meyer.

Meyer assured she would not be involved in any tactical battle and intended to put the hammer down early and make it a fast race, where endurance is key.

OUT OF AFRICA -- Less than 12 hours after arriving on the Island, South African distance runner Elana Meyer was out pounding the pavement yesterday on the International Race Weekend's 10-kilometre course.