FIJI Finals 3000 metres record holder Isireli Naikelekelevesi says hard work needs to be put in by athletes if they are to break long-standing records.

The long-distance runner, who set the 3000m record back in 1995 with a time of nine minutes and 6.20 seconds, says gone are the days athletes used to run for enjoyment.

“When we were running in those days, we were not running for record, but we just ran to enjoy the games and if we won, it became a bonus,” the former national representative said.

He says hard work needs to be put in by athletes as they have more resources available now.

Naikelekelevesi represented Marist Brothers High School and later went on to represent Fiji at two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, two World Championships and five Oceania Championships in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m events.

He still holds the national records for the 800m and the one-mile distances.