World 10,000m bronze medallist Andreas Almgren is targeting the European half marathon record of 59:13 in the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday (26) morning.
If he succeeds, this will be Almgren’s third European record of 2025. The Swede began his year by breaking the European 10km record with 26:53, also in Valencia, in January before eclipsing the European 5000m record and world lead with 12:44.27 on home soil for a memorable victory in front of his home fans in the Stockholm Diamond League.
The European half marathon record belongs to Switzerland’s Julien Wanders with 59:13 from 2019. Almgren approached Wanders’ record on his debut half marathon last year when he clocked 59:23 in Barcelona - the second fastest time in history by a European - and the Swede believes he is coming into this race in much better shape and with a point to prove.
Speaking to The Running Effect podcast earlier this month, Almgren said: “I’m in a lot better shape than when I did my first half marathon and I ran 59:23. I’m aiming quite high now in Valencia.
“My body feels very good and mentally I’m quite excited about the race. I obviously ran very well in the 10,000m but then I had some problems recharging for the 5000m and I underperformed a lot so that made me feel like I want some kind of redemption in Valencia.”
After a succession of near misses in major events at all distances from 800m to 10,000m, Almgren won a popular and well-deserved bronze medal in the 10,000m, becoming the first Swede to win a medal in a men’s track event in World Athletics Championships history. However, he couldn’t quite replicate this form in the 5000m, exiting in the heats.
The Valencia Half Marathon entry-list is headed by former world record-holder Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia who pipped Almgren for the silver medal in the 10,000m in Tokyo.
Looking further ahead, Almgren is unlikely to compete at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa on 14 December or indoors next winter but the 30-year-old has confirmed he is targeting both the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham between 10-16 August.
European all-time half marathon list
59:13 - Julien Wanders (SUI), 2019
59:23 - Andreas Almgren (SWE), 2024
59:26 - Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA), 2022
59:31 - Amanal Petros (GER), 2025
59:32 - Mo Farah (GBR), 2015
59:39 - Carlos Mayo (ESP), 2023
59:40 - Morhad Amdouni (FRA), 2020
59:40 - Samuel Barata (POR), 2023
59:41 - Pietro Riva (ITA), 2023
59:42 - Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP), 2024
2025 European half marathon list
59:31 - Amanal Petros (GER)
59:45 - Jimmy Gressier (FRA)
59:52 - Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA)
59:59 - Gashau Ayele (ISR)
60:00 - Felix Bour (FRA)
60:11 - Patrick Dever (GBR)
60:17 - Valentin Gondouin (FRA)
60:22 - Fearghal Curtin (IRL)
60:46 - Awet Nftalem Kibrab (NOR)
60:50 - Filmon Tesfu (NED)
