Adriaan Wildschutt keen on more cross-country championships

The 27-year-old, who is based in the United States and hails from the small Western Cape town of Ceres, finished an impressive 13th after clocking 29:32.

His performance made him the highest-placed South African in the history of the championships, surpassing the previous best of 15th shared by Shadrack Hoff (1996) and Stephen Mokoka (2011).

Wildschutt says that he plans to spend about two months in South Africa, starting with time at home in Ceres before heading to a six-week altitude training camp in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. “The first 10 days will be spent with my family in Ceres, then I’ll go to Dullstroom,” he said.

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He also hinted at exciting developments ahead. “I’ve got a big announcement coming soon. It’s a surprise and I’m getting paid to do it,” revealed Wildschutt. “I’ll also be running the New York Marathon this year, with a few other exciting things to announce.”

Wildschutt explained to SABC Sport that logistical challenges had previously prevented him from taking part in cross-country trials. “In the past it didn’t work out because I was still studying in the US. When the trials took place, I was usually in the middle of exams, and it wasn’t just one exam but several in the same week,” he said. “Even this time it wasn’t ideal, but I was able to build my fitness at the Valencia half-marathon in Spain and Athletics South Africa selected me.”

Now back in South Africa with the national team, Wildschutt says he is determined to be more involved going forward as he continues his build-up towards the Olympic Games. “Every opportunity I get to represent South Africa; I will take it. But I also understand that there are rules and regulations, and I have to follow them like everyone else,” he said. “If I want to make the next team, I know I must come home, do the trials and earn my place. If the logistics work out while I’m training in the US, I will always compete for my country, especially on the world stage.”