18 Apr Adriaan Wildschutt’s achievements is a blueprint for Elite Athlete development
Adriaan Wildschutt achievements is a blueprint for Elite Athlete development though the track
Adriaan Wildschutt’s sensational new South African 10km record of 27:28 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K has reignited a vital conversation within South African athletics: the importance of developing elite athletes on the track before transitioning to road racing.
Adriaan Wildschutt set a SA 10km record at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA Photo: Anthony Grote
Adriaan, 26, who began his journey with Brimstone Itheko Sport Athletic Club in Rondebosch—a club affiliated to Western Province Athletics (WPA)—has become the embodiment of this philosophy.
Now based in the United States as part of the HOKA Elite team, Wildschutt’s rise has been marked by patience, strategic development, and a commitment to mastering the track before stepping onto the road.
“Although he no longer runs here for most of the year, he is still a member of Brimstone Itheko,” said Zarina Meyer-Brewer, president of Brimstone Itheko Sport Athletics Club.
“We are tremendously proud of his achievements.”
Adriaan’s run in Gqeberha not only broke Precious Mashele’s 2023 record of 27:35, but also marked only his second road race. Behind the scenes, his foundation was built meticulously through track excellence.
He currently holds national records in the 3000m (7:32.99), 5000m (12:55.02), and 10,000m (26:50.54), the latter achieved at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he placed 10th in a historic final.
WPA President Farouk Meyer, who was present in Gqeberha to witness the record-breaking run, stressed how Adriaan’s progression is a model for aspiring athletes.
“Adriaan is a perfect example of how things should be done,” Meyer said.
“He first built up his speed by running sub-13 in the 5000m and sub-27 in the 10,000m on the track. That is where local talented athletes’ focus should be.”
Meyer, who was also thrilled to see Adriaan’s brother Nadeel finish seventh in 28:28, highlighted the importance of nurturing speed and endurance on the track before transitioning to road events.
“Track events should be incentivised to lure more athletes to the track instead of running 10km road races week in and week out for prize money,” he explained.
“We see them [Adriaan and Nadeel] as representing WPA, because they request permanent licenses from WPA every year.”
Adriaan Wildschutt representing WPA on the track Photo: Roger Sedres
Adriaan’s own reflections after the race showed both humility and toughness.
“It feels good to break the record. It would have been such a pity to come all the way from the US and miss it by a few seconds,” he said.
Despite a windy start and travel fatigue, his focus and conditioning pulled him through.
As South African athletics looks to the future, Adriaan’s path—honed on the track, refined through education, and fuelled by family support—shows exactly what’s possible when the right foundations are in place.
Nadeel and Adriaan Wildschutt at the finish of the Absa RYC Gqeberha 10K Photo: Adnaan Mohamed
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