Adriaan Wildschutt wins Absa Gqeberha but no-pacing means no continental milestone

The disappointment of not having pace-setters to help him run the first ever sub 27 minutes on African soil did not stop Adriaan Wildschutt from defending his Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K title Sunday morning.

THE USA-based multi South African record-holder clocked a 27:47, slightly slower than his then national record of 27:28 ran at last year’s race, to beat a stellar crowd that included Kenya’s Isaac Tibet Ndiema who boasts a 26:55 Personal Best.

While delighted by the victory, Wildschutt was evidently shattered by the last minute withdrawal of both Ryan Mphahlele and Luan Munnik who were scheduled to set the pace for him in the quest of the historic run on the continent.

“Ja, like that completely stuffed my mindset from trying to run the sub 27 (minutes), the weather wasn't looking great; the pacers cancelled on the last minute and I had to give up a lot of time to be here. But I didn't want to be a quitter,” Wildschutt said at the finish line.

Wildschutt’s Resilience Shines Despite Pacer Cancellations

The 27-year-old could easily have pulled out, but being a man of his word he went and honoured the contract to race.

“I signed up and, like I said, it's a great organization (Stillwater Sports who run the five-race series) and it's nothing to do with them because it’s not in their control when the pacers cancel. I was like, there's no way I'll run sub twenty-seven alone in the wind as well, so I changed my focus, talked to my coach, just trying to go for the win and prepare for New York City in a couple of weeks."

Prior to the race, the lad from Ceres in the Western Cape had spoken about his eagerness to become the first man to clock a sub 27 in Africa, saying that feat would be better than setting any records given it would remain for a lifetime.

And thus, understandably, the news of Mphahlele and Munnik not being available to assist with the pace-setting got him considering pulling out of the race.

“Yeah, I was at the point of cancelling completely 'cause I felt like it was kind of a bit of a waste. But like I said, it's (got) nothing to do with the organizers because it's out of their control. They are doing a great job so I'm not bashing anybody here. The circumstance was just that pacers cancelled in the last minute. And it just tells me again that sometimes you just can only count on yourself. And I changed my focus trying to win the race. And it's sad, but it is what it is. Hopefully I'll have another chance, prepare and come back again. And hopefully next time it will be worth it and everybody can be celebrating that instead of me standing here just with the win.”

It was a brilliant win though, Wildschutt showing that his record victory in last year’s race was no fluke with a compellingly good run that saw him being the only one to clock a sub 28 run. Ndiema finished in 28;01 while 10km rookie Tshepo Tshite impressed in third place with his 28:09.

Series founder and Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer was understandably disappointed that their efforts to help Wildschutt achieve his goal ‘failed’ but expressed delight at the athletes’ decision to still race.

Organisers’ Efforts and Challenges in Creating Optimal Conditions for Athletes

“You know, as the organisers, we're trying to do everything we can to create the conditions for the athletes to run as fast as they possibly can. So that means great prize money; that means a great field;  that means incentives for the athletes, for South Africans and the other visiting athletes. And it includes pace makers. And so, everything is put in place, but unfortunately we can't control the weather and we can't control if people get sick or injured,” he said.

“And we had the two best athletes that we could find to pace Adriaan. Unfortunately, one of them got ill two days ago and the other one had a fall and got injured just a day ago. So, it's just very unfortunate because everything we do is set up to get Adriaan and the other African athletes to run as fast as possible. So yeah, we're thankful that he ran and that he ran a good race. I think the wind also, to be honest, affected the performances a little bit. You know, if you speak to all the athletes and top athletes, I think that wasn't ideal conditions. But that's where we are and we hope to see Adriaan back soon in the Absa Series.”

Kenyan Brenda Jepchirchir (30:15) won the women’s race ahead of compatriot Faith Cherono (30:44) while South Africa's Glenrose Xaba finished third (32:13).

The next stop in the popular 10km five-race series is Cape Town in May.

IOL Sport