Sweden’s Andreas Almgren shattered the European half marathon record in the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday (26) morning, becoming the first European to break the 59 minute-barrier.
In a race won by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in 58:02, Almgren finished fourth in a huge European record of 58:41, smashing the previous mark of 59:13 set by Switzerland’s Julien Wanders in 2019.
This was the third European record Almgren has set in 2025. He began his season by breaking the European 10km record in Valencia with 26:53 and later smashed the European 5000m record on home soil in Stockholm with victory in 12:44.27.
Almgren went on to win a bronze medal in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships, his first major senior medal at either global or continental level. However, the Swede was disappointed to exit in the 5000 heats in Tokyo and said that he was looking “for some kind of revenge” in Valencia.
"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,” Almgren said as reported by SVT.
Almgren is unlikely to race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa in December but the 30-year-old has his sights on both the 5000m and 10,000m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham next August.
Mayo takes the domestic plaudits in Valencia
Carlos Mayo was the leading Spanish finisher on home soil in tenth in 60:48, just pipping Said Mechaal - eleventh on his debut in 60:48 - who went out fast and with the intent of breaking the Spanish record held by Mayo at 59:39.
Double Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, who also competed for Great Britain in the 10,000m at the 2018 European Athletics Championships, also ran an excellent 61:30 in his first ever half marathon to finish 19th.
Also making her first ever foray into the distance, Slovenia’s European 10km bronze medallist Klara Lukan was the leading finisher in the women’s race, finishing seventh in a national record of 68:04.
France’s Alessia Zarbo also set a national record of 68:20 to finish eighth while Spain’s Carla Gallardo was tenth, also in a lifetime best of 69:14.
European all-time half marathon list
58:41 - Andreas Almgren (SWE), 2025
59:13 - Julien Wanders (SUI), 2019
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