Elly competed for almost 20 years as a world class athlete (runner) in competitions all over the world. She competed in the Olympic Games of Los Angeles ('84) and Seoul ('88) as well as in several World and European Championships.

She held the world record 3000m indoor 12 years (1989-2001)

Since 1980 she went for warm weather training to Portugal several times each year. She has been living in Portugal permanently since 1990. After her athletics career, she started her own business, 'Elly Van Hulst Promotion Ltd.' in the Algarve. This company now provides several services.