Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s return to the global stage was triumphant

It was an evening to remember for Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway. The phenomenon of recent global championships had not raced at all this year prior to the championships having undergone Achilles surgery in January. On Day 1 of the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, UK, he reminded everyone of his talent by winning his fourth 5000m title and his seventh gold medal in total at the European Athletics Championships.

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Florian Bremm from Germany and Etienne Daguinos from France tried to give Ingebrigtsen a run for his money, but were defeated. Ingebrigtsen finished in 13:15.29, while Bremm clocked a 13:15.60 and Daguinos 13:16.09.

Ingebrigtsen hung back for most of the race, as expected. It was after lap eight, with approximately a mile remaining, that he began to inject pace and pass competitors. Over the final 400m he ran in 54.8, and in his final 100m he clocked sub-12.75.

Ingebrigtsen has run the 5000m as fast as 12:48.45, which is the national record. The 25-year-old holds five world records, two European and two national records from the 1500m to the 5000m.

Results

Monday, August 10