Multiple European record-holder Andreas Almgren from Sweden has announced he will return to Spanish soil for the 10K Facsa Castellon on 22 February.
Almgren has smashed European records in his last two competitive appearances, both of which were on Spanish soil. Almgren became the first European to break the 59 minute-barrier in the half marathon with 58:41 in Valencia in October before taking a big chunk off his European 10km record in Valencia again last month.
Almgren crossed the finish-line in 26:45 to eclipse his European record by eight seconds but he was left palpably frustrated as the Swede had to run from the front for more than six kilometres after the sole pacemaker dropped out midway through the fourth kilometre.
"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 today - 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," said Almgren in his post-race interview in Valencia.
The 10K Facsa Castellon, which is held as an adjunct to the Castellon Marathon, is a race with a growing reputation for producing fast times.
Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw broke the world record in the women’s 10km in this race in 2022 with a 29:14 clocking while fellow Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha clocked the second fastest time in history in last year’s race, winning in 26:31.
Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa won the women’s race last year in 29:25 to move to fifth on the world all-time list while Slovenia’s Klara Lukan was the leading European finisher, clocking 30:26 which puts her fifth on the European all-time list.