Adriaan Wildschutt wants to set the Absa Run your City Gqeberha 10K alight yet again like he did last year, and could get help in his record attempt from Kenyan Isaac Kibet Ndiema.
Image: Anthonty Grote
Kenyan speedster Isaac Kibet Ndiema could provide the missing piece in Adriaan Wildschutt’s long-held ambition to break 27 minutes on home soil at Sunday’s Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K.
When Wildschutt announced his record attempt in January, the US-based distance athlete from Ceres in the Western Cape made it clear just how much it would mean.
“It would mean a lot to run sub-27 on SA soil. It would probably be one of my very highest achievements. It would certainly mean the world to me,” said the 27-year-old, who set a South African record of 27:28 in this race in April last year, before Maxime Chaumeton lowered the mark to 26:55 in Romania six months later.
Isaac Kibet Ndiema (left) will make his South African debut at Sunday's Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K, boasting the fastest time in the quality field.
Image: Fabienne Nicolas
On that occasion in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Wildschutt surged to the front after 3km and ran largely alone as he powered to the national record. Since then, he has added another milestone, clocking a South African half marathon record of 59:13 in Valencia in October.
He also produced the best performance by a South African senior athlete in the 10km at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. Wildschutt finished in 13th place to improve on the 15th position attained by both Shadrack Hoff (1996) and Stephen Mokoka (2011).
But the Olympian has been candid about what it will take to dip under 27 minutes for the first time.
“I want to emphasise how tall an order that is on this course, and I’d need competition,” he said. “It wasn’t ideal running alone for most of the race last year. To even come close to sub-27, I need perfect weather, as well as competitors who can push me all the way to the finish line. Pacers will also be extremely important and hopefully can pace even longer than 5km.”
Enter Ndiema ...
The Kenyan is gearing up for his South African debut with a personal best of 26:55 – identical to the national record – and has made it clear he intends to commit to a fast early tempo.
“I will definitely go with the early pace – this can help me to also run a good time in the end,” Ndiema said. “Running sub-27 on African soil needs determination and good preparation, but if it is to be done, I think this series is where it will be done.”
His willingness to drive the race from the gun could ensure the field passes the 5km mark well inside 13:30, eliminating the isolation that blunted Wildschutt’s challenge last year.
Lesotho’s national record holder Kamohelo Mofolo, who has run 27:47 and is targeting another breakthrough season, adds further depth up front.
If the weather plays along and the pacemakers deliver, Wildschutt may finally get the head-to-head battle he has called for – with Ndiema’s presence potentially transforming a bold ambition into a historic sub-27-minute breakthrough on South African roads.