European race walking champion Perseus Karlström of Sweden made a victorious debut over the newly introduced marathon distance in Santee, USA on Sunday (11).
The Swede, renowned for his push ups on track after winning 20k gold at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, cruised to a comfortable victory in 3:04:50 at the USATF International Invitation Race Walk and took a giant stride towards the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.
He finished 6:22 clear of second placed Nick Christie of the USA.
Birmingham bound
The time qualifies three-times world medallist Karlström for a place at Birmingham 2026, where both the half marathon and marathon distances will be held for the first time.
But he told his followers on Instagram that he would still need more work to adjust to the new distance, having faded in the Californian sun.
“Marathon debut! It was... long,” he wrote. “A solid winter block leading up to this race, but lacking a bit of distance specific training.
“I definitely felt that the last 7km. Testing the waters with current training was good, but hurt way too much in the end. Couldn't get that 3h mark and Mr. CRASH was there to reel me in: 3.04.51”