Almgren broke the Swedish record

Not a single runner in the twelve-strong elite field could keep up with Andreas, which cost him the European record. Now eight seconds were missing from that record for Andreas, who in February set a European record for 10 km.

The weather was nice with ten to twelve degrees, but unfortunately a bit windy on the flat track that has several sharp curves.

The Norwegian national 3,000 m steeplechase runner Fredrik Sandvik was appointed as the hare for the race’s big star Andreas Almgren. Sandvik kept a good pace for two kilometers with Andreas close behind him, which meant that the 30-year-old Tureberg runner got a nice headwind during the sections of the course where there was a headwind.

However, Sandvik could not pull to three kilometers, which was the goal. Instead, he got off just after the two-kilometer mark and Andreas was then forced to run alone in the lead for the rest of the race, which was a tough task in the wind:

– It felt so easy at first. “I was almost unmoved when Fredrik got off,” Andreas commented.

– Then it became hard to run alone.

Andreas was responsible for an impressive run during the final three kilometers, but it is almost impossible to achieve a world time if you are forced to run solo for more than half the distance.

Andreas Almgren was not discouraged by the missed European record:

– The European record is good so it was no shame not to be able to take that time.

“I am significantly better than at this time last year,” he stated.

There are two months left until Andreas’ first scheduled track race, which will be at BAUHAUS-galan at Stockholm Stadium on June 15th, where Andreas will run 5,000 m.

Andreas Almgren had his big breakthrough last year when he emerged as Sweden’s new great runner by setting seven Swedish records at distances from 1,500 m to half marathon (21.1 km).

Now Almgren has started 2025 with two Swedish records. Will there be a third in BAUHAUS-galan on June 15?

– I ran 12.50 in 5,000 m last year, and I’m hoping for a better time now, explained Andreas Almgren.

Drammen 5 km was part of a larger running competition at several different distances in Drammen outside Oslo. A total of 5,500 runners were registered for this Norway’s fifth largest running competition, where a new Swedish star was now the big name.

Next up for Andreas Almgren is six weeks of high-altitude training in Sierra Nevada in Spain:

– It will be basic training to build strength for the summer race.

– Then specific training at home to get in top shape for BAUHAUS-galan.

Text: Anders Olsson