Adriaan Wildschutt is on a role. Just over a month after he posted another national track record, the Ceres-born flyer was at it again, racing to a record-breaking victory in the opening race in the ever-impressive Absa RUN YOUR CITY series in Gqeberha last weekend.
In a superb performance in windy conditions, Wildschutt won in 27 min 28 sec to set a South African 10km road record, 7 seconds inside Precious Mashele’s previous mark, set on the same course two years ago.
And the cherry on the top for the 26 year old USA-based athlete was that his family from Ceres were on hand to celebrate his victory and his R200 000 in prize money and incentives. The impressive payout forms part of a South African Elite Athlete Incentive Programme, introduced by event organisers, Stillwater Sports, at the start of the 2025 Series.
“It feels good to have broken the record,” Wildschutt said, reflecting on what was only the second road race of his career. “It would have been such a pity to come all the way from the US and miss it by a few seconds. I wanted to run 13:30 or 13:35 in the first half and we were way off. I knew it was going to be hard since the wind was there. Overall, I’m happy I managed to pull it off.”
Three men broke through the magical 28 minutes 10km barrier as Wildschutt was followed home by Kenya’s Vincent Kipkorir, who ran a personal best 27:47, while South Africa’s Kabelo Mulaudzi rounded out the top three with his time of 27:57 – the third sub-28-minute 10km clocking of his career.
Wildschutt’s winning time was 33 seconds inside another Kenyan, Vincent Kipkorir’s winning time in the race last year.
And giving family Wildschutt further cause for celebration, Adriaan’s brother Nadeel crossed the line in 7th place, exactly one minute behind his brother’s winning performance.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Jane Gati Chacha made a sensational 10km debut, crossing the line in an impressive 31:45. She was closely followed by Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre, who finished in 31:50. South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba put in a strong performance to claim third place overall and top local honours with a time of 31:56.
Making her international debut, Chacha was overjoyed with the result, “I’m very happy. I wasn’t expecting to run this time today especially because it is my first 10km and also my first race outside of Kenya. I’m so thankful.”
The impressive pay-day for Wildschutt was one of the largest for a sub-marathon distance race in South Africa, made up of R30 000 in prize money for crossing the finish line first, R120 000 for breaking 27:30 as part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES SA Athlete Incentive Programme and a further R50 000 bonus for setting a new South African record.
“When a record is broken at one of our races, it doesn’t just make local headlines — it attracts global attention both to the excellence of African athletes and our cities,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“That remains our long-term vision, while continuing to invest in development and the broader running community. We are incredibly proud to reward such outstanding performances by South Africa’s elite athletes.”
Wildschutt improved his own national 5000m record to 12:55,02 in Boston, USA, early in March and ran close to his own national 10 000m record, clocking 26:51,27 in California, just three weeks ago.
RESULTS
MEN
1 Adriaan Wildschutt (South Africa) 27:28, 2 Vincent Kipkorir (Kenya) 27:47, 3 Kabelo Maluadzi (South Africa) 27:57, 4 Aklilu Asfaw (Ethiopia) 28:03, 5 Kamohelo Mofolo (South Africa) 28:10, 6 Namakoe Nkhasi (Lesotho) 28:20, 7 Nadeel Wildschutt (South Africa) 28:28, 8 Gideon Kipngetich (Kenya) 28:35, 9 Bongelani Mkhwanazi (South Africa) 28:50, 10 Chris Mhlanga (South Africa) 29:04
WOMEN
1 Jane Gati Chacha (Kenya) 31:45, 2 Selam Gebre (Ethiopia) 31:50, 3 Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 31:56, 4 Saibi Chebet (Uganda) 32:32, 5 Lebo Phalula (South Africa) 32:38, 6 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 32:54, 7 Karabo More (South Africa) 33:22, 8 Emmy Chemutai (Kenya) 33:55, 9 Zanthe Taljaard (South Africa) 33:58, 10 Mercy Kibor (Kenya) 34:06
