PRECIOUS MASHELE BEWARE! Your South African 10km is under threat, and the man gunning for it has a reputation for setting national marks. Adriaan Wildschutt has confirmed his participation at the year-opening race of the popular Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series and has set his sights on obliterating the 27:35 record.

A standout performer last year, Wildschutt shone at the Paris Olympics, finishing tenth with a run for the ages as he set a national record of 26:50:64 in the 10 000m. In addition, Wildschutt recorded a handful of new national fastest times in varying distances.

The America-based athlete now holds the 3000m (7:32:99), 5 000m (12:56:67), and the 5000m indoors (12:56:76) records. He would now love to add the 10km to this collection and told the organisers of the Series that he is looking to do it on debut in the Gqeberha 10K on April 13.

“I’m looking forward to participating in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K,” Wildschutt said, in confirming he will be coming home.

“I chose the race because I hear that it’s a fast course, and I remember the South African record being set there. I love competing, and sometimes that leads to records.”

He was careful not to be seen as arrogant or looking down on the highly accomplished Mashele’s achievement from the same race two years ago.

“I appreciate and respect Precious’ record and would never undermine the quality it took to set that record. However, I am aiming to break the South African record in Gqeberha and hopefully make it a lasting one.”

Wildschutt is a sought-after track and road running star in the US, where he has been based for the past seven years. He is also a prominent contender on the lucrative European circuit. Why, then, has he opted to open his 2025 road running campaign on home soil?

“To be honest, the race in Gqeberha lines up best with my schedule. Training has been going very well in the last five weeks.

“We were able to continue to train at a high level. However, the next six weeks are going to be critical leading up to some track races and the 10km in Gqeberha. I am very excited about that, and I am hopeful that everything will go as planned and I can perform at the best level I can.”

Performing at the highest level against world-class competitors on African soil is not the only reason the Ceres-born SA 5000m champion chose Nelson Mandela Bay over other destinations. Having run a number of 10km road races in the Western Cape as a junior before moving to the US to study, 26-year-old Wildschutt reveals that through his brother Nadeel, who ran 28:07 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K last year, he has been following the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES from across the Atlantic and was more than ready to grab the opportunity to take part when it came.

“I was stoked to hear about the Series, which is why I wanted to compete in it in an attempt to do well. I also want to try something different and go to a different city I have never been to before.

“Racing in South Africa is unique. The running culture is different. I love the food afterwards and the vibe that follows the race. I feel a whole lot of people know me better and I can share a great experience with all of them.”

You can bet Mashele is not going to just sit back and watch Wildschutt unseat him as the country’s fastest man in the 10km distance. It makes for a fascinating race.