© Copyright – 2025 – Athletics Illustrated
Recently, it was announced that Canadian middle-distance runner Kieran Lumb of Vancouver has moved to Norway to work with Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father of Olympic medallist Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Lumb competed for the University of British Columbia before moving to Seattle. This time, the move is about Lumb exploring how good he can become.
The idea gained momentum for the 26-year-old Lumb after his chance meeting with World Athletics Championships 1500 metre medallist Narve Gilje Nordås of Norway. Nordås is coached by Ingebrigtsen. Lumb will join the newly created Viking Athletics Club.
Asked if he plans to stay in Norway (and if he has Norwegian family), or have extended visits while remaining in Canada, he told Athletics Illustrated Magazine, “I do have Norwegian blood on my mother’s side, but no direct relatives and am a Canadian citizen. I’m currently working with an immigration lawyer and looking at different visa options. [This is], in a similar way to what I did while training in Seattle. My plan is to be based in Norway with additional warm-weather and altitude camps.
Lumb wants to take the next step in his career.
Progression…
In February this year, he ran a new national record indoors 1500m time at Boston University, clocking 3:35.80. His outdoors personal best is 3:34.25 from June 2025. Lumb also set new bests in the mile (1609m) and 5000m, finishing in 3:51.89 and 13:12.54, respectively. The latter in Belgium on July 19.
Lumb is a three-time national champion, winning twice in the 1500m and once in the 5000m. He also competed in the mile at the 2023 Riga World Running Championships, finishing in 3:56.98 for fifth, and less than one second from first overall, which was accomplished by American Hobbs Kessler in 3:56.13.
The Norwegian approach
Asked about the different approaches from Vancouver, Seattle, and now Norway, Lumb said, “I’m extremely grateful for each coach and setup that I’ve had in my career, each one has taught me something different and has been integral to my development. I wouldn’t be here without them! This new setup certainly emphasizes the aerobic development piece.”
With the rising success of Norwegian athletes in middle and long-distance running, discussion has centred around the method.
The Norwegian method of training emphasizes a controlled intensity approach. There is a particular focus on lactate threshold training, combined with high volume. Blood lactate monitoring is used to determine optimal intensities. “Double threshold” days with two controlled, yet high-intensity sessions can happen in a day. This method aims to improve both aerobic fitness and lactate threshold. It allows athletes to sustain higher efforts for long periods. The Norwegian approach is similar to the Arthur Lydiard method of training, which was later embraced broadly by the Japanese, Finns, and East Africans.
Asked about Nordic skiing, which the Norwegians are known to do for aerobic development, and Lumb grew up with in North Vancouver, he said, “I wish I were able to ski more in the winter. I absolutely love it, but over the past few years, it’s been harder and harder to balance with running.”
Perhaps Ingebrigtsen will send Lumb out for some long Nordic ski efforts in the winter. First off, Lumb will be representing Canada at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September.
