Overview
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen announced on Instagram that he will run the men’s 5,000 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Aug. 10.
- He had surgery in early 2026 to clean scar tissue from the protective sheath around his left Achilles and did not race competitively during his rehab this year.
- Ingebrigtsen says training has progressed well and that, after consulting his team, there was “no reason not to race,” reflecting a coached decision to return now.
- With Josh Kerr — a leading middle-distance rival — confirmed absent, Ingebrigtsen’s entry reshapes the field and increases the likelihood he will defend his European titles.
- He remains unbeaten at the European Championships after completing the 1,500m/5,000m double in 2018, 2022 and 2024, and his plans for the 1,500m in Birmingham are not yet confirmed ahead of the Aug. 15 final.