Jakob Ingebrigtsen is a Wednesday winner with Norwegian 5km record in Stavanger

The young senior European champion, Jakob Ingebrigtsen(pictured on the far right), clocked 13:28, ahead of brother Henrik, as road race action returns to the Norwegian streets of Forus near Stavanger on Wednesday 20th May.

Jakob took the Norwegian 5km record on Wednesday evening, clocking 13:28 as road action returned to the streets and the screens of athletics fans across the world. Brother Henrik was just four seconds behind in 13:32 with both inside the previous record time of 13:37 which was set by Sondre Nordstad Moen. 

The race had been adapted to meet health and infection control measures because of the coronavirus pandemic and took place on a 2.5km loop course, with just five athletes in this wave starting in a grid format to keep athletes well separated.The event was live streamed by Norwegian broadcasting company NRK, with fans around the world tuning in to watch.

On an overcast evening in the Norwegian city, Henrik was quickly to the fore, before the Ingebrigtsen brothers’ training partners Narve Gilje Nordås, Per Svela and  Zerei Kbrom Mezngi taking turns at the front to push the pace. 

Jakob then came through and pushed the pace, holding his lead to the finish line where he was applauded by throbbing crowds of spectators. Third place went to Svela in 13:40, while Mezngi was fourth in 13:44 and Nordås fifth and last in an amazing 13:45!

Jakob said afterwards “It was fun to finally get the start number on my chest again, but I had to wake the body up and compared to the same time last year, I must say that I have taken a step in the right direction again.”

Henrik said: “The most important thing was not to go crazy compared to Jacob. I think I’m clearly fine. The body held and I feel I am where I should be in relation to Jakob.”

Ahead of the race, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and coach of Jakob and Henrik had said: “The most important thing for the boys is to have a good experience, to get started with the season.”

Both Jakob and Henrik are set to race over 2000m at the Oslo ‘Impossible Games’ which is due to take place instead of the traditional Diamond League meeting in June. 

Vienna Søyland Dahle clocked the quickest women’s time with 16:14 and added