MY RUNNING LIFE

ORDINARY RUNNERS doing EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

- RACHEL 'Big Dog' BEATON

Adam Lipschitz

Age: 31 Lives: Durban Achievements: 2:08:54 marathon, 1:01:31 half marathon, 12th London Marathon 2024 (top Saffa), 11th fastest South African All-time

Adam Lipschitz is a serious runner. But at first glance, he's the most un-serious serious runner you've ever met. A Castle Lite? Sure. Backpacking in India? Why not. A 2.08 marathoner? If you insist. In his own words: “Somebody has to live this life.”

One of South Africa's fastest runners, Lipschitz boasts a marathon PB of 2:08 (Valencia, 2023), a half-marathon best of 61:00 (Gun Run, 2023), and a 12th-place finish at the London Marathon this year, all while managing multiple successful businesses, owning a running club, and maintaining a colourful social life.

The 31-year-old has carved out a space in the running world as both a serious competitor and a refreshingly unfiltered personality. Running influencer Rachel Beaton sat down with Adam to get to the bottom of what makes the undercover elite tick: is it natural talent, the way he trains, his mindset, or just the clout he gets from dating the Big Dog? (That's me Rachel, BTW!)

Rachel: Ok, let’s start from the start. How did you get into running?

Adam: I ran when I was young. Mostly because I was naughty, and ADHD - running away from the wooden spoon! I started winning cross-country races in primary school, but I didn’t take it very seriously until around Grade 11.

Rachel: Some would say you don’t fit the typical profile of an elite — a lot of messing around, and not as much mileage as most others. Is that why you only came 12th at London? (Hee hee!)