South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt stormed into the record books on Sunday, blazing through his debut half marathon in Valencia like a comet streaking across the Spanish sky.
The 27-year-old Western Province Athletics (WPA) star clocked a blistering 59:13, shattering Stephen Mokoka’s five-year-old national record by 23 seconds and finishing fifth in a world-class field.
The race was won by Ethiopia’s former world record holder Yomif Kejelcha, who broke the tape in 58:02, but it was Wildschutt’s fearless run that lit up South African athletics.
The Ceres-born athlete, who donned the green and gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the 10 000m final, was candid about his mindset after the race:
“So many people have been asking me why I put my goals out there for everyone to see and potentially criticize,” he said in a social media post.
“My response is simple. I like challenging myself, and I’m not scared to fail. I thrive under pressure, even if it’s pressure I put on myself.
“Whether I achieve it or not, I’m doing this for myself and no one else.”
Running in the HOKA Northern Arizona Elite colours, Wildschutt tackled the fast Valencia course with trademark composure and grit.
Despite battling headwinds over the final 8 kilometres, he powered home to claim his fourth national record, adding the 21km crown to his collection over 3 000m (7:32.99), 5 000m (12:55.02), and 10 000m (26:50.64).
“It was quite windy the last 8k, and I know I can go even faster,” Wildschutt added. “For now, I’m very grateful to God and everyone who’s always supporting me.”
His record run comes just weeks after Maxime Chaumeton (26:55) broke Wildschutt’s SA 10km record of 27:28 set earlier this year on the road at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K, marking a golden period for South African distance running.
Adriaan Wildschutt in action in the colours of WPA on the track Photo: Supplied
WPA President Farouk Meyer praised Wildschutt’s achievement, saying it was proof that success on the road begins on the track.
“Adriaan once again proved that if talented elite athletes want to perform on the road, they should first build up their speed by spending as much time as possible on the track,” Meyer said.
“He honed his speed before making his 21km debut at 27. WPA is extremely proud of him.”
Next up, Wildschutt will spearhead the South African senior men’s team at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee on 10 January 2026, where he’ll look to continue his meteoric rise.
From the quiet farmlands of Ceres to the sun-drenched streets of Valencia, Adriaan Wildschutt has proven that when passion meets precision, records tumble, and South African athletics finds another gear.
