Long-distance runner Maxime Chaumeton broke new ground on Saturday, shattering the South African men's 5km record on the road.

Chaumeton finished ninth at the Al Khobar 5km race in Saudi Arabia, completing the event in 13:17 and taking seven seconds off the national record (13:24) set by Ryan Mphahlele in Germany in April.

The 23-year-old athlete also ripped 19 seconds off the personal best (13:36) he clocked when he finished 17th in the 5km race at at the World Road Running Championships in Latvia in September.

Ethiopian athlete Biniam Mehary won the fast race in Al Khobar in 13:03, with the top five men all dipping under 13:10.

"Congratulations to Maxime, his coaches and support team for the achievement," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. "And now that this an official World Athletics event, I forsee the national record shattered several times."

* All ASA records are subject to standard ratification processes

Like our Facebook page:  Athletics South Africa 

Instagram:  asa_athletics_south_africa 

Twitter:  @AthleticsSA_ 

Website:  www.athleticssa.org.za 

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