Lipschitz on track to even greater success

For Adam Lipschitz, running 42.2km in 2:07:22 isn’t the finish line. It’s another step towards an even bigger goal: breaking the South African marathon record and representing his country at the Olympics. 

The elite distance runner’s ambition, achievements, and commitment to giving back through running were recognised when he received the Ichikowitz Family Foundation Rising Star Award at this year’s Investec Jewish Achiever Awards. 

Lipschitz recently won the Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia, clocking a personal best of 2:07:22, to become the sixth-fastest marathon runner ever in South Africa, and ranked 61st in the world currently. This came after what he described as the best year of his running career so far. 

“I made the right choices of races and where to go, how to do things,” he said. “I’d been to Košice twice before as a pacemaker, so I knew the course. I went in there this time with no stress and nothing to hold me back. 

“When we got to about 30km, I felt good and made my break, and I never looked back. That comes down to the mental strength I’ve developed over the past couple of years. Everyone in a marathon can run the first 30km, but it’s about whether you can run the last 12km. I credit that strength to my friends and family, who have supported me, and also to the belief I’ve developed in myself.” 

In addition to his success individually, Lipschitz is the founder of one of South Africa’s largest running clubs, the Social Runners Club, where many runners prepare for the Comrades Marathon. 

“It started as a joke about four years ago during COVID-19, and it has grown to 650 members. My goal has been to change the lives of the Comrades runners I’ve met along the way,” Lipschitz said. 

For the upcoming Comrades, the club will be providing 20 entries to underprivileged runners who need the support to keep going. “Comrades isn’t just a race; it’s a journey that takes about six months of the year. It gives people something to work towards, keeps them committed, and can help keep them out of trouble.” 

Lipschitz still aims to improve on his own marathon time and to set a new South African record.