More events should take place outside Durban says Lipschitz as he challenges for KZNA elections

Popular self-styled Durban social runner Adam Lipschitz has decided to challenge for the Chairperson of Athletes commission position in the upcoming KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) elections scheduled to take place on the 3rd April at an undisclosed location. The man who recently set a 13:33 5 000m personal best on Monday will go toe to toe with Maxed Elite Running athletes manager Martin Ngwenya, Sandile Mthembu and Siyabonga Nkonde. The 27-year-old athlete says he decided to throw his hat in the ring because he wants to fight for the athletes' rights since he understands their struggle better. And he thinks the good communication he enjoys with social and elite runners alike, makes him a good candidate for the job.

Lipschitz has improved his 5 000m PB twice during the last two months. Here he is pictured after a superb run at the Kings Park Stadium in late February. Photo Credit: Cuan Walker.

"I have decided to stand for KZNA chairperson for athletes commission because previously we never had someone fighting for our rights," explains Lipschitz who runs for Phantane Athletics Club. "So we need a formidable middle man to listen to our problems and take it to the KZNA board because the chairperson has the seat at the executive. There is infighting at the moment but at least with athletes knowing what's going on they would feel they are more involved. And I have got a very good relationship with elite athletes and social runners," he said.

Lipschitz, who clocked a personal best of 28:27 over 10 000m during last week's KZNA Senior Track & Field Championships to finish third behind Precious Mashele and Mbuleli Mathanga believes the track events must be split between inland and coastal in order to accommodate all the clubs. Although he admits that it would be a difficult task, he believes that with proper engagement with local municipalities it is possible. Lipschitz's company sponsor his club and give back to the community.

Lipschitz raced the best of the best at the Endurocad Invitational Meet in Cape Town on Monday where he set another 5000m PB. Photo Credit: David Papenfus.

"The main issue right now is the split between inland and coastal," elaborates Lipschitz."The inland clubs are traveling far to come and participate in events here in Durban. So the big question, do we keep everything coastal? We can't have all the events happening at Kings Park, we need to move them to other municipalities. It's not an easy task however they are ways we can make it work. I'm a businessman and I understand the ways to engage. I even sponsor the club (Phantane) and I also give back to the community. The main goal is that We need to have meets in Newcastle again, bring back the Richards Bay meeting, etc. So that the way we can uplift one another. No one wants to drive 400KM and run 800m and then go back home. There are fuel cost involved and other expenses which must be considered," he said.