Istanbul, Turkey - One month after winning the European 10,000m Cup, Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse returns in action to challenge the road World record over the distance this Sunday (14 May). The current World record holder for 5000m on the track is set to participate in Maltepe University International 10km Run in Istanbul.

Abeylegesse, who ran a 10,000m Cup record time of 30:21.67 in heavy rain in Antalya, Turkey on 15 April, will make her first appearance in a road race. The 23-year-old is aware of her potential; “I have strong hopes and ambition that I can break the World record”. The record belongs to Paula Radcliffe (GBR) by 30:21, a mark she achieved back in 2003 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Recalling the day she was victorious in the European 10,000m Cup, Abeylegesse says; “I had to struggle with the rain and the wind there. I could have run a much better time.” The Turk has indeed proven she was strong and physically at the peak of her form, and she may have even improved since last month; “My training sessions have gone great. I feel very good.”  However, she still has concerns for the race on Sunday; “This will be my first competition on an asphalt surface. I occasionally train on the road, and the road race will be a new experience.”

In the 5th edition of Maltepe University International 10km Run, the World record is not the only goal of Elvan Abeylegesse. “Istanbul is a city with a population of over 12 million, and I think it is only a small percentage that is actively running. I aim at encouraging people to run, the easiest sport to practice.”

Can Korkmazoglu for the IAAF