Maxime Chaumeton: The 'flamboyant' record-breaker carrying the future of SA distance running

Maxime Chaumeton ignited his 2026 season this February with a stellar performance at the Breakfast Run in Seville, Spain, where he set a new national record in the 5km, finishing in a time of 13:12.

This performance edged out his previous record of 13:13 set in Tokyo in May 2025.

"You don’t prep for it on the day," he told Eyewitness News. "All mental and physical prep happens during the training for me. When I race overseas, I make sure that before the training, I know that I have done all the necessary training and that I have spent every minute needed to work on my mind with my coaches."

The athlete noted that high winds on race day in Seville hindered his target of going sub-13 in the 5km.

"So I adjusted expectations and went for a national record. I came out with a second faster, and I was happy with my plan B. All is in the training."

The national champion's 2025 season was equally impressive; he became the first South African to break the 27-minute barrier in the 10km with a time of 26:55.

"I feel like if I had never run sub-28 in SA three years ago, no one would have done it," Chaumeton remarked. "I don’t think that if I had not run sub-27 last year, anyone would believe it’s possible. I beat Adriaan [Wildschutt] on the track at SA’s last year in his main event."

Despite this being a history-defining moment, his first thoughts were that he should have been 10 to 15 seconds quicker.

"Once I finished my race, I realised I was capable of being the best in the world and not just in SA. I’ve now set my sights on being the best in the world because that’s where I belong. I hope SA distance running can follow suit."

Chaumeton is vocal about what he perceives as a stagnation in the South African distance running scene following his coach’s generation.

"We lost all the healthy rivalries of the sport that they had back in the day. It was shortly reignited by Stephen Mokoka, but I think people didn’t want to chase the world. SA distance running stagnated in the country; no one wanted to look at being the best in the world, only the best in SA. I’ve seen this mentality passed on to my generation, apart from a few."

He acknowledges that runners like Adriaan Wildschutt, Adam Lipschitz, and Elroy Gelant are on the international circuit "chasing the world." However, when asked about a rivalry with Wildschutt, Chaumeton remained focused on his own path.

"To be honest, I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry at all. I’m focused on my running and building the sport and training from SA. Anyone can go to the US and use their resources to run fast."

Speaking to Eyewitness News, he emphasised that there is something special about representing South Africa while being trained by a local legend with limited resources.

"It inspires the future, and the kids need someone to show them that it can be done from home. I push in training only because my coach and my body tell me to. No one influences that."

The two-time national champion feels a responsibility to lead South African running onto the global stage, describing his personal style as "fun and flamboyant."

"I am carrying distance running in SA on both shoulders because I also believe I am having fun with my running. I offer a more flamboyant style. I am not liked that much for my expressive style, but still, many people copy my training—from my 30km long runs to my track sessions—even if they are not running my distances. So yes, I do feel a responsibility, but I just want to inspire the next generation."

Chaumeton’s running journey began in 2016, though he first met his coach, Hendrick Ramaala, in 2009 while competing in karate with Ramaala’s son.

Ramaala, a New York Marathon winner and a titan of the running circuit, saw the youngster run one day and encouraged him to take the sport seriously.

"Hendrick saw me run one day and told me I shouldn’t waste my talent," Chaumeton recalled. Under Ramaala’s guidance, he fell in love with the sport and hasn't looked back.

"Hendrick is more of a father to me; I was brought up by him, and I learned his way of life early. It’s an immense privilege to be coached by the greatest distance athlete South Africa has ever produced. I have learned everything from him. He was a ruthless front-runner and a go-getter in races, and I’m glad I can carry on his legacy."