France’s Yann Schrub broke his first ever European record in the Facsa Castellon 10K on Sunday (22) morning, moving to sixth on the world all-time list with 26:43.
In a race which was set up for Andreas Almgren to break his European record of 26:45, the Swede equalled his mark from Valencia last month but could only finish third in a high calibre race which saw four athletes break the 27 minute-barrier.
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Making his debut at the distance, Uganda’s Harbert Kibet cut loose in the latter stages for victory on his debut at the distance in 26:39 with the in-form Schrub winning the continental battle ahead of Almgren, crossing the line in 26:43 to shave two seconds from the Swede’s recently set record.
"I hoped the French record [27:04 set by Etienne Daguinos in 2024] was possible but not the European record. It's a surprise for me," said Schrub who was crowned European champion at this distance at the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven last April.
This was Schrub’s second record-breaking performance of the season after becoming just the fourth European in history to break the 7:30-barrier for 3000m indoors, eclipsing world 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier’s French record with a 7:29.38 clocking in Metz at the start of the month.
Having won European titles on the roads and at cross country, Schrub will continue his preparations for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10-16 August with increased confidence having already won bronze in the 10,000m in 2022 and silver over the same distance in 2024.
After finishing, Almgren admitted his legs felt "quite flat" after coming down from altitude in Sierra Nevada. He wrote on Instagram: "Unfortunately quite flat legs after my missed specific workouts last week. But 26:45 when I'm not on my top is still quite good. Back to training! Congratulations to my friend Yann Schrub for breaking my European record. Extremely strong and well-deserved!"
17-year-old Swede Lörstad runs 28:21
Behind Schrub and Almgren, there were many other notable results from a large European contingent who lined up in Castellon in search of fast times.
Tim Verbaandert finished seventh in 27:39 to equal the Dutch record set by Mike Foppen, who was on pacemaking duties for Almgren, Schrub and co, in Valencia last month. Fellow Dutchman Juan Zijderlaan also clocked 27:54 to finish 12th.
And the precocious Swedish distance running prodigy Sebastian Lörstad ran a phenomenal 28:21, the second fastest time by a European U20 behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen's 27:54 from 2019.
The 17-year-old was a dominant winner of the 3000m at the European Youth Olympic Festival last year and recently finished a creditable 17th in the U20 race at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee.
Full results here
Updated world all-time 10km list
26:24 Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) - Valencia 2020
26:31 Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) - Castellon 2025
26:33 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) - Laredo 2023
26:38 Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) - Valencia 2019
26:39 Harbert Kibet (UGA) - Castellon 2026
26:43 Yann Schrub (FRA) - Castellon 2026
26:44 Leonard Komon (KEN) - Utrecht 2010
26:45 Andreas Almgren (SWE) - Valencia 2026
26:48 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) - Valencia 2024
26:49 Sabastian Sawe (KEN) - Herzogenaurach 2024
European 10km record progression
27:44 Mo Farah (GBR) - London 2010
27:32 Julien Wanders (SUI) - Durban 2018
27:25 Julien Wanders (SUI) - Houilles 2018
27:13 Julien Wanders (SUI) - Valencia 2020
27:07 Jimmy Gressier (FRA) - Lille 2024
27:04 Etienne Daguinos (FRA) - Lille 2024
26:53 Andreas Almgren (SWE) - Valencia 2025
26:45 Andreas Almgren (SWE) - Valencia 2026
26:43 Yann Schrub (FRA) - Castellon 2026