From Ceres to New York: Adriaan Wildschutt sets a blistering pace

Adriaan Wildschutt came so close to an Olympic medal in Paris, delivering the country’s strongest performance at the 2024 Games. With no track world championships on the calendar this year, Wildschutt shifted his focus to the roads and stormed to victory at the New York City Half Marathon in a blistering 59:30. Speaking to BizNews from Arizona, where he trains at altitude, Wildschutt reflected on a journey that began in Ceres and was propelled by a Zola Budd athletics scholarship that took him to the US. He now has his eye on the marathon at the LA Olympics in 2028. Alongside his athletic ambitions, Wildschutt is preparing for the release of his memoir, Change of Pace, which explores how hard work carried him from humble beginnings to the world stage, and has colaunched an electrolyte drink, Hybrid Water. The 27yearold, who has an MBA, emphasises the importance of good grades for athletes who want overseas scholarships and shares one gripe about South Africa: professional runners can’t access university tracks without special permission, making it especially tough for young athletes without resources. – Linda van Tilburg