Andreas Almgren prepares for New York City Marathon debut

Swedish runner Andreas Almgren is set to compete in his first marathon this Sunday at the New York City Marathon. Despite being a debutant at the full distance, the 31-year-old expressed confidence in his ability to compete, stating that the odds of him winning are “not unreasonable.”

Almgren, a former middle-distance runner and recent half-marathon world champion, noted the challenge of transitioning from 21 kilometers to 42 kilometers, emphasizing that endurance is vital for a strong finish. He faces stiff competition from previous winners Abdi Nageeye and Benson Kipruto.

His preparations have included high-altitude training in Flagstaff, Arizona, with weekly training volumes reaching up to 230 kilometers. Although he faced a brief period of illness following his half-marathon success, he reports that his training has proceeded according to plan.