South African track star, Adriaan Wildschutt, shattered the 10 kilometre Peace Run course record at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Saturday, 14 October 2023. The 25-year-old from Ceres, who has remained in the United States after completing his studies at Florida State, set new South African records over the 3 000, 5 000 and 10 000 metres distance on the track this year. Wildschutt’s time for the Peace Run was 27 minutes and 53 seconds. 

This is the fourth-fastest time by a South African on a record-eligible 10 kilometre course and makes Wildschutt only the ninth local runner to dip below the 28 minute mark, and the sixth to do so on home soil. It is also the twelfth fastest time ever run over the distance in South Africa. Most importantly for the Peace Run it is a new course record by 41 seconds, shattering William Kaptein’s time from 2015.

Having focused exclusively on the track for the last six years, Wildschutt was elated with his run. “I’m really happy,” he smiled. “I took a break after the World Championships [where he finished fourteenth in the 10 000 metres] and have been training in Stellenbosch for the last few weeks. I love Cape Town.” 

“It’s really special for me to race here in Cape Town, where everything started for me long before the SA records. Just running on home soil is special. Seeing everyone who I used to run against as a junior. Today was more about that than it was about times and winning, for me. I used to run this race as a junior, before moving to the US, so I knew the vibe was going to be good. It’s always exciting,” Widschutt continued. 

“The organisers did a great job putting together a fast course,” Wildschutt added. “The conditions were perfect this morning too, I’m used to Cape Town being windy so looking at the weather this morning I was exciting coming into the race. I wanted to run fast, but you’re at the mercy of the weather. Having the ideal conditions made it possible to run a good time.” 

Wildschutt was joined on the podium by Andries Sesedi and Collen Mulaudzi. Sesedi’s time of 28 minutes and 56 seconds was 1 minute and 3 seconds off the winner’s pace. While Mulaudzi finished a further 39 seconds back. 

Irvette van Zyl ran to victory in the women’s race, at the 10 kilometre Peace Run. Her time of 33 minutes and 56 seconds was 12 seconds quicker than Kyla Jacobs’s winning time from 2022, but was still well off the course record of 32 minutes and 26 seconds. This was however not important to Van Zyl who is making a return to racing fitness from a long-term injury. 

“I’m very happy to win today,” Van Zyl said. “It was a tougher course for me, because flat and fast is always a challenge for me. Coming back from injury I’m still working on my speed, but I’m happy with how today turned out. To be out here, running pain free, and enjoying the day out with so many other runners is amazing. I can’t wait for tomorrow and to watch the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon!” 

Van Zyl’s winning margin was 1 minute and 24 seconds over Nwabisa Mjoli. Lisha van Onselen joined the 2023 champion and Mjoli on the women’s podium places, finishing 1 minute and 12 seconds off second place. 

To share in Van Zyl’s enthusiasm for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon residents of the city are encouraged to support along the route. Information on the official spectator points can be found on the race website, www.capetownmarathon.com or by clicking here. To follow the action from further afield like the race’s Facebook page, Cape Town Marathon, or follow the event on Instagram,  @capetownmaraton. The racing gets underway at 06:10 on Sunday morning, with the elite wheelchair start group. 

The 2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 from 05:55. Tune in to watch the 18 000 strong field race towards Africa’s First Major. 

10km Peace Run Results

Men’s Results:

1. Adriaan Wildschutt (27:53 | New Course Record)
2. Andries Sesedi (28:56 | +1:03)
3. Collen Mulaudzi (29:35 | +1:42)

Women’s Results:

1. Irvette van Zyl (33:56)
2. Nwabisa Mjoli (35:20 | +1:24)
3. Lisha van Onselen (36:32 | +2:36)