08 Apr Adriaan Wildschutt targets SA 10km record at Absa RYC Gqeberha 10K
The first race in the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is set to be an exciting showdown, with South African middle-distance star Adriaan Wildschutt targeting the national 10km record in Gqeberha on Sunday, April 13.
Wildschutt, the current South African 10,000m record holder with a time of 26:50.64, will attempt to break the 27:35 benchmark set by Precious Mashele last year.
Adriaan, alongside his brother Nadeel Wildschutt, is among the top contenders in a field that promises fierce competition.
“I’ve been training hard for this race, and I’m aiming to break the SA 10km record,” said Adriaan, who has been in excellent form recently.
With the flat and fast route of the Gqeberha race, he’s well-positioned for a record-breaking performance.
Kenyan talent Gideon Kipngetich, fresh from a runner-up finish at the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Tshwane 10K and a dominant victory in Johannesburg, is back for his 2025 campaign. Kipngetich, who will race at sea level for the first time in Gqeberha, is targeting a sub-27-minute finish.
“My training is going well, and I’m confident I’ll perform strongly on the fast Gqeberha course,” Kipngetich said.
Local hero Melikhaya Frans, a South African marathoner, will also be in the mix. Frans, who has a best of 28 minutes in the 10km, is excited to race on home turf.
“It’s always great to compete in front of my people. My training has been strong, and I’m aiming for a time under 28:30,” said Frans, who is preparing for a marathon later in the season.
Another athlete to watch is Kenyan Mercy Jebet Kibor, who will make her debut in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. Kibor, fresh from winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, has bold plans for her Gqeberha debut. “I want to win. That’s my goal,” Kibor declared, after her impressive victory in Cape Town.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, expressed excitement for the upcoming race: “With Adriaan Wildschutt targeting the SA 10km record, Kipngetich’s return, and the addition of Mercy Kibor, this is shaping up to be a thrilling start to the 2025 series.”
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K, set on a scenic coastal route, will offer athletes the opportunity to chase fast times. Fans can expect an action-packed race as these elite competitors battle it out for victory, record-breaking performances, and a piece of the impressive R1.61 million prize pool.
In addition to the elite competition, the event supports CANSA, the Cancer Association of South Africa, through charity donations. The race is the first of five in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, with events in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, and Johannesburg throughout the year.
With all eyes on Adriaan Wildschutt and the exciting international and local field, the 2025 Gqeberha 10K is set to be a spectacular start to the season.
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