Adriaan Wildschutt took another big step forward in his blossoming career on Saturday night, breaking the South African 5 000m record at the Night of Athletics, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. 

Wildschutt outclassed the international line-up in the B-race, completing the 12 and a half lap distance in 13:02.46*. 

He finished comfortably ahead of second-placed American athlete Olin Hacker, who clocked 13:09.94. 

The 25-year-old South African, already the holder of the national 10 000m record (27:23.10), took more than two seconds off the SA 5 000m mark of 13:04.88 which had been set by Elroy Gelant in Hengelo in May 2016. 

"Adriaan has done well and clearly remains focused in his goals having conquered the 10 000 event where he holds the current national record," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. 

"On behalf of the Board and Athletics Family, I congratulate him with his coach and his support team. Hard work still awaits him and all athletes to challenge the East and Central Africans who are dominating these two events at global stage." 

* All SA records are subject to standard ratification procedures.

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of World Athletics  and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg. 

ENDS