McColgan faster than ever after marathon bow as both European 10km records fall in Valencia

Britain’s Eilish McColgan and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren smashed the European 10km records at the Valencia Ibercaja on Sunday.

Record reclaimed

McColgan, who made her marathon debut last year when she finished eighth at London in 2:24:25, first took the European 10km record when she ran 30:19 in Manchester in 2022.

That ended the reign of fellow Brit Paula Radcliffe who had held it for nearly 20 years with her 30:21 in Puerto Rico in 2003.

But McColgan saw her mark usurped by Belgian Jana van Lent who clocked 30:10 just a week ago in Nice.

However in the Spanish city which is renowned for fast times, McColgan made the perfect response with a 30:08 as she was eighth behind Brenda Jepchirchir of Kenya who won the women’s race in 29:25.

Almgren close to world record

Meanwhile there had been much speculation about what time Almgren might achieve after some eye-catching training sessions in the build up.

And that proved on the mark as he took eight seconds off his own record thanks to a 26:45.

That also took him close to the world best of 26:38 by Joshua Cheptegei which was set on the same Valencia course. Valencia is also the venue for the women’s WR of 28:46 by Agnes Ngetich.

Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga finished second in 26:51, with Kenya’s Victor Kipruto third in 27:17 as no fewer than 35 athletes went under 28 minutes.

Almgren became the first European in history to break 59 minutes for the half marathon with a 58:41 in Valencia last October.