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Team SA Olympian and defending champion Adriaan Wildschutt produced another commanding performance to retain his title at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K. In the women’s race, Brenda Jepchirchir romped to a 30min 15sec victory which was a new SA All-Comers record. South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba (32:13) crossed the line in third.
‘I was looking to run sub 30 minutes but because of the wind in the last 5km it was tough for me,’ said Jepchirchir moments after the historic achievement. ‘But I’m still feeling good and I want to come back to run the Series again in Cape Town in May.’
Jepchirchir’s determination to produce a fast time in windy conditions was mirrored by Wildschutt who dominated the men’s race. In the absence of pacemakers which put paid to the sub 27-minute record attempt, the 27-year-old USA based athlete made the decisive move just before halfway. Wildschutt surged away from the fastest man in the field Isaac Kibet Ndiema (who has a 26:55 PB) to cross the finish line in 27:47.
Debutante Tshepo Tshite finished third in 28:09. Wildschutt admitted that although his performance may have been overshadowed by the late withdrawal of pacemakers Ryan Mphahlele and Luan Munnik, he would dearly love to try and run the first 26-minute 10km on African soil at another Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race.
‘The organization is great, and it has nothing to do with them when pacemakers cancel. It’s not in their control. These were just the circumstances. I was like, there’s no way I’ll run sub-27 alone on a windy day as well. But I gave up a lot of time to be here, so I didn’t want to be a quitter,’ said Wildschutt.
‘If I have the right training partners, pacemakers and good conditions then it is possible. Absolutely possible! There are few things that I want to experiment with. Hopefully, I’m going to get another opportunity.’
Image: Supplied
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