In recent years, we have seen how Norway has become endurance running stars for long track distances. World champion and Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has already made it a matter of course.
However, at the latest after the weekend, it is clear that there is also a Swedish endurance runner at the top of the world. 28 years old Andreas Almgren made a huge splash by running the 10,000 meters in California to third place in the all-time European statistics (26.52.87).
Above are only the British running legend Mo Farah (26:46,57) and Belgium Mohammed Mourhit (26.52,30). Somali-born Farah is a two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion.
The hardness of Almgren’s run is underlined by the fact that he narrowly lost the race in California to the winner of the race, the USA To Grant Fisher. The American is a tough class measuring stick, as he has been fifth in the 10,000 meters at the Olympic level and fourth in the World Championships.
Born in 1995, Almgren has been praised a lot in the Swedish media. For example, Aftonbladet’s well-known sports reporter Mats Wennerholm even talked about an Olympic medal at next summer’s Paris Olympics.
A coach and an endurance running expert agree Janne Ukonmaanaho.
– It was a huge run. He came with Grant Fisher in the final stretch for one distance. Fisher has been fourth at the global level. Andreas signed up for a medal at the Olympics. It can be said that there are two runners from the Nordic countries at the global top in long distances, says Ukonmaanaho.
The last time a Swedish male runner reached medals at the Olympics was in 1976. At that time Anders Gärderud ran to Olympic victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The long journey of junior promise
Almgren’s background is interesting. He was already known as a talented runner at a young age, but at that time the view was in the middle distances.
Ten years ago, Almgren won bronze in the 800 meters at the Junior World Championships. The following year in Beijing, he competed in his first adult World Championships.
After this, the development of the Swedish talent was messed up by injuries and illnesses. Kasi’s record was 1:45.59, run in 2015.
Some wondered if Almgren’s career was already over, but in the last few years he has made a wild ascent at longer distances. For example, in 2022, he skyrocketed his wild record and the top time in the European annual statistics of 13:01.70 in the Brussels Diamond League. He was fourth in the European Championships.
Before his top run on Saturday, Almgren managed to run Europe’s second-hardest half-marathon ever in 59.23 and on the road in 27.20.
– He has trained systematically at a hard level for a long time. Andreas felt that he would not be able to cope in the final races of 1,500 and 5,000 meters, which is why he ended up on longer distances. That half marathon showed that his endurance is at a huge level, says Ukonmaanaho.
Potential for a tight fit
Two years ago, six and last year two runners in the world ran faster than Almgren now. Almgren, who ran 3:32.00 in Tonnivitone’s best time, has a reserve of speed, which according to Ukonmaanaho has not yet been reflected in longer distances.
However, he has the potential for a tough streak, which is needed in value races.
– He hasn’t been the best in the final stretch yet. It’s still a surprise card that he can still refine. His grip has been a bit weaker compared to what one might think with the undertravels.
– Almgren is fast, but he is not naturally the best writer. However, at Kympti, the situation becomes easier in relation to 5,000 meters, where there are many 1,500-meter-style runners. Ten have fewer of those, and that’s why he can be a medal candidate for Kiri.
Training with Finns
For Almgren, the 10,000 meter race was the first of his career on the track. He healed by Jonny Danielsson (1989) in the name of the previous Swedish record by a minute.
Farah’s European record is six seconds away.
– The seconds are tight, but of course it’s not impossible, Ukonmaanaho refers to the European record.
Ukonmaanaho adds that in the future, the likely holder of the European record for the distance is Jakob Ingrebrigtsen. As a track runner, he is known as a tough 1,500 and 5,000 meter runner, but plans may change in the future.
– I think he will slowly move towards longer distances, Ukonmaanaho believes.
Almgren has trained in camps every year as a coach of Ukonmaanaho Raitanen’s top and with other Finnish runners.
– He has done the same line of training as Topik. For example, in March at the camps in Flagstaff, they have made joint camps. We know what kind of training leads to hard results. Andreas is also a very nice guy and a good role model. He creates faith that the Nordic countries can rise to the top.