Running News Daily

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the streets of Castelló, Spain, could become the stage for something extraordinary. Sweden’s distance sensation Andreas Almgren is set to attack the 10-kilometre distance once again — and this time, the target is nothing short of historic. Reports suggest he will be chasing a time under 26:40, a mark that edges dangerously close to global supremacy.

Almgren arrives in Castelló carrying the weight of momentum and the confidence of an athlete operating at the very peak of his powers. Earlier this January in Valencia, he shattered his own European 10km record, clocking a breathtaking 26:45. That performance was not an isolated flash of brilliance; it was another link in an impressive chain of continental records he has forged in recent seasons.

His résumé now reads like a masterclass in modern distance running. A blistering 12:44 for 5km. A commanding 26:45 for 10km. A superb 58:41 in the half marathon. Each mark underlines not only speed, but also remarkable strength and endurance — the rare blend required to flirt with world-record territory.

What makes Almgren especially dangerous is his fearless front-running style. He does not wait. He dictates. He stretches the field, dares others to follow, and often runs alone against the clock. Yet even for an athlete of his calibre, raw courage will not suffice on Sunday. To dip under 26:40, precision pacing will be critical. The margin for error at such velocity is razor-thin, and the assistance of disciplined pacemakers could determine whether this becomes a fast race — or a truly historic one.

Castelló is known for producing rapid times, and conditions permitting, the course may offer the perfect arena for Almgren’s bold ambitions. If the early kilometres are controlled and the rhythm sustained deep into the race, we could witness a performance that redefines European excellence and edges into global legend.

Elite contenders from Ethiopia, Kenya, France, Norway, Germany, Australia, Eritrea, Switzerland, Chile, and Ireland converge on a course engineered for velocity. With ideal winter conditions forecast and a layout designed to reward rhythm and boldness, the tempo is expected to be unrelenting from the opening stride. Tactical discipline, calibrated pacing, and uncompromising endurance will determine who survives the inevitable surge.

Elite Men’s Start List – 10K Facsa Castellón 2026

Andreas Almgren (Sweden) – 26:45 AR

Kuma Girma (Ethiopia) – 26:58

Jack Rayner (Australia) – 27:09.57

Victor Kipruto (Kenya) – 27:10

Yann Schrub (France) – 27:20

Dawit Seare Berhanyukun (Eritrea) – 27:21

Magnus Tuv Myhre (Norway) – 27:22

Dennis Mutuku (Kenya) – 27:22.89

Zerei Kbrom Mzengi (Norway) – 27:39

Morgan Le Guen (Switzerland) – 27:42

Filimon Abraham (Germany) – 27:48.82

Bereket Nega Batebo (Ethiopia) – 27:49

Carlos Díaz (Chile) – 27:58.97

Simon Boch (Germany) – 28:01

Cormac Dalton (Ireland) – 28:03

A global convergence of speed and ambition awaits in Castelló — a morning where world-class credentials meet one of Europe’s fastest 10K stages, and where the line between continental dominance and world-record territory may grow perilously thin. 

World record? Perhaps. Something astonishingly close? Almost certainly.

One thing is undeniable: Andreas Almgren is not merely chasing times — he is chasing history. And on Sunday, the clock will have to be ready.