Lipschitz targets London top 8 after 2:18 win at Balwin Dolphin Coast Marathon

Adam Lipschitz believes he has what it takes to run a sub 2:07:00 marathon time at the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April. Like he did in 2025, Lipschitz used today's (22 March) Balwin Run Series Dolphin Coast Marathon as a paced long run ahead of his race in the English capital next month, emerging victorious once again in a remarkable 2:18:47 in challenging hot and humid conditions.

The race, which commenced outside the Baltimore Lifestyle Centre and ended opposite the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel in Amphitheater along the North Beach promenade, saw Lipschitz finish nearly four minutes ahead of runner-up Thabang Mathebula of the Hollywood Athletics Club, who clocked 2:22:07. Pan African Resources top runner Proud Chauke who was second last year, secured third place with a time of 2:25:40. Speaking after the victory, Lipschitz said it was a solid training run for the prestigious London Marathon which has left him feeling confident that he can improve on the 2:09:48 he produced

at the Abbott World Marathon Major Race last year.

Lipschitz in confident mood ahead of the Virgin London Marathon following his victory in Durban. Photo Credit:MWMedia

"I'm in better shape compared to what I was last year. I did the same thing as last year but I ran about a minute faster than last year. I did the same thing as last year for the first 32km, but then I picked up in the last 10km. I continued with the same schedule but I needed a bit more race fitness this year because I haven’t ran since last year July. So I needed that X factor and this performance did it for me. All good" said Lipschitz. 

With the injury behind him and buoyed by the dominant performance in his hometown, the 31-year-old founder of The Social Runners Club is optimistic about what he can produce against the best Marathon era the world has to offer in five weeks time. Lipschitz is eyeing a place inside the top eight at London. 

"I planned to run the Valencia Marathon last year (December) but unfortunately I picked up the niggle a week after the Cape Town Marathon. I lost about a month of training but then I regrouped and I decided to give a major race like London another go. I think 2:07 is realistic this year; provided everything goes according to plan. I'm looking to finish inside the top 8. Either time or position, I'll be satisfied with either one," he said. 

In the women's race, Mellisa Greyling won the race in 2:53:07 while Carla Van Huyysteen claimed second place in 2:59:22 and Gabrielle Webber took a third spot in 2:59:53.