"I'm very surprised" - Lipschitz clocks PB in top ten finish at Peachtree 10km in the US

South African long-distance athlete Adam Lipschitz delivered a stellar performance, clocking a personal best time of 28:27 at the Peachtree Road race in the United States yesterday (Saturday, 04 July). In sweltering conditions nearing 30 degrees Celsius, Lipschitz managed to eclipse his previous mark of 28:36, which he achieved in the 2019 edition of the Gun Run 10km race, where he finished second overall behind the late Mbuleli Mathanga. 

Known more for his marathon achievements, Lipschitz secured a solid tenth place overall on a demanding course featuring numerous climbs. The race was won Kenyan Patrick Kiprop who broke the finish tape in 27:37. Speaking to #TheTopRunner, the 32-year-old Lipschitz was more than satisfied to have delivered his best 10km performance over in extremely challenging conditions in Atlanta.

Lipschitz improved on his 10km PB at the famous Peachtree Road Race. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I'm thrilled with my performance. I had a great race. I have been training well in the couple of weeks. The first half of the course is the downhill and you climb a bit in the second half," Lipschitz explained. 

"I just ran my own race and came from behind to finish 10th. I have doing good training with the hills and gym work. I knew I had a strength but I was bit surprised. I think if I was running the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K race next week, I would have gone sub 28 minutes. I’ve got the leg speed and the strength. But I'm very surprised and happy that I ran this time on this course, which is so difficult and the heat was crazy.” 

Xaba also participated in the 2026 Peachtree Road Race. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Lipschitz will remain in the US and travel from Atlanta, Georgia to New York where he will participate in Boilermaker 15km race hosted in Utica, New York next week Sunday 12 July. 

"In 8 days time, I'm running Boilermaker 15km. I'm just getting my body ready then when I get back home I'll be doing Social Runners 21km. Afterwards, I'll undergo a 12 weeks training for my next marathon which I'll announce it soon," he concluded. 

Lipschitz wasn't the only South African who participated in the Peachtree race as SA 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba put in a spirited performance to clock a credible 32:20 to finish 10th in the women's race.