Andreas Almgren has thoroughly revised the European record books in the last 12 months, becoming the first European to break the 27 minute-barrier for 10km and 59 minute-barrier for the half marathon.
But his path to distance running success was far from conventional. Almgren was one of Europe’s most promising middle distance talents a decade ago, winning 800m bronze at the 2014 World Athletics U20 Championships before finishing fourth at the 2015 European Indoor Championships at the age of 19.
But a prolonged period on the sidelines was to follow, prompting Almgren to refocus on the longer distances. And the 30-year-old has done so with remarkable success, setting four European records in the space of a year.
2025 10K Valencia Ibercaja - 12 January
European record - 26:53
Previous European record - 27:04 (Etienne Daguinos - 2024)
Almgren set his first European record at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja in 2025, becoming the first European in history to break the 27 minute-barrier for the 10km on the roads. With a 13:10 last 5km, he clocked 26:53 for victory to break Etienne Daguinos’ recently set European record.
Almgren said: "I came here with a plan and a target: to stay with the leaders and to run as close to 27 minutes as possible or under as I had some very good sessions in recent weeks."
Result: 1. Andreas Almgren (SWE) 26:53, 2. Dominic Lobalu (SUI) 26:54, 3. Vincent Langat (KEN) 26:55
2025 Stockholm Diamond League - 15 June
European record - 12:44.27
Previous European record - 12:45.01 (Mohamed Katir - 2023)
The stage management couldn’t have been better! Almgren was roared to a European 5000m record of 12:44.27 for victory at the Stockholm Diamond League by a crowd who were already delirious having just seen Armand Duplantis clear a world record of 6.28m in the pole vault.
Almgren said: "This is probably the most memorable night of my life and career so far. I have felt awful on the start-line at previous Stockholm Diamond Leagues but this year I wanted to do my very best. I wanted to give the spectators from my home city something to remember.
"I had the European record in mind this season so I am so pleased to break it along with the Swedish and stadium record. If I look back nine years ago, it was here in this stadium where I broke my navicular bone which led to five or so years of injury. I am so delighted and proud to have returned here and produced such a performance."
Result: 1. Andreas Almgren (SWE) 12:44.27, 2. Kuma Girma (ETH) 12:57.46, 3. Ky Robinson (AUS) 12:58.38
2025 Valencia Half Marathon - 26 October
European record - 58:41
Previous European record - 59:13 (Julien Wanders - 2019)
Fresh from winning a 10,000m bronze at the World Athletics Championships yet fuelled by the frustration of missing out on a place in the 5000m final in Tokyo, Almgren said he was “looking for some kind of revenge” in the Valencia Half Marathon.
Almgren capped off his dream season in style. In just his second half marathon, Almgren became the first European to break the 59 minute-barrier for the distance, taking more than half-a-minute off Julien Wanders’ mark with a 58:41 clocking.
Almgren said: "I had to run in the front between 7-15 km when the pacemaker left. And then it was quite windy. The last 3-4 kilometers were into a headwind. I am very happy with the time I am doing under these conditions. It was still a European record by more than half-a-minute. With optimal conditions, I'm probably in shape for even a little better."
Result: 1. Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 58:02, 2. Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 58:39, 3. Brian Kibor (KEN) 58:39, 4. Andreas Almgren (SWE) 58:41
2026 10K Valencia Ibercaja - 11 January
European record - 26:45
Previous European record - 26:53 (Andreas Almgren - 2025)
Almgren began his 2026 season in record-breaking form, improving his European 10km record in Valencia for back-to-back victories. Despite having to do almost all of the leading from the fourth kilometre onwards, Almgren lowered his European 10km record from 26:53 down to 26:45 to move to sixth on the world all-time list.
Almgren said: "It’s the best conditions I’ve had here in Valencia. It’s so good but I had to take the front from three kilometres. It’s so tough to be in the front all the way. It’s not much but there was also a bit of a headwind in the final straight.
"I said around a 10 second PB - that would be acceptable - but I feel like I have a very fast time in me. If I could have had a pacemaker for 6-7 km, I think I can run very fast."
Result: 1. Andreas Almgren (SWE) 26:45, 2. Khairi Bejiga (ETH) 26:51, 3. Victor Kipruto (KEN) 27:17
What’s next?
The feeling that Almgren could have run faster than 26:45 in Valencia was palpable in his post-race interview and he could have another shot at further improving his European record in Drammen, Norway on 11 April.
Beyond that, Almgren will drop down in distance to contest the 1500m on home soil at the Stockholm Diamond League on 7 June ahead of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10-16 August when he plans to contest both the 5000m and 10,000m.
Almgren is also eyeing the Diamond League final in Brussels from 4-5 September, the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest from 11-13 September before concluding his summer campaign at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen from 19-20 September.