Long-distance runner Adriaan Wildschutt continued his record-breaking spree on Sunday, shattering the South African 10km mark at the Absa Run Your City race in Gqeberha.
Wildschutt, who already holds the national 3 000m, 5 000m and 10 000m records on the track, set a new SA mark on the road for the first time in his career.
He stopped the clock at 27:28 to take seven seconds off the SA record of 27:35 set by Precious Mashele in Gqeberha two years ago.
The 26-year-old athlete, who is based in the United States, finished 21 seconds clear of Kenyan athlete Vincent Kipkorir, who took second place in 27:49.
Kabelo Mulaudzi also dipped under 28 minutes, hanging on to finish third in 27:59.
“It feels good. It would have been such a pity coming all the way from the US and just missing the record by a few seconds,” said Wildschutt, who admitted he struggled against the wind in the closing stages of the race.
“My family came out to watch me, so I knew when it really started getting hard that there were people waiting for me, and I made a big surge and dug as deep as I could, and I’m very happy with the effort I was able to put together.”
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Jane Chacha took the win in 31:45, with Selam Gebre of Ethiopia grabbing the runner-up spot in 31:50.
National record holder Glenrose Xaba was the top South African finisher, taking third place in 31:56.
In fifth position, Lebo Phalula broke her own SA women’s record in the veterans (40-49) age group, clocking 32:38.
SA records held by Adriaan Wildschutt
3 000m – 7:32.99 (Chorzow, August 2024)
5 000m – 12:55.02 (Boston, March 2025)
10 000m – 26:50.64 (Paris, August 2024)
10km – 27:28 (Gqeberha, April 2025)
* Featured image of Adriaan Wildschutt by Cecilia van Bers
