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Sports sponsorship is part of the international SPAR voluntary food retail chain’s commitment to encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle. Global awareness of the SPAR Brand is achieved through digital and print coverage of sport sponsorship.

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Joma Sport is the most important Spanish sports brand, with the highest sales volume worldwide, and is among the top ten global brands.

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Stars of athletics beat world records using Polanik products. Polanik is held in high regard by many for top quality and advisory services for designers and investors of athletics stadiums.

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The first companies of Würth MODYF Group were founded in Künzelsau, Germany and Neumarkt, Italy in 1997 as an independent subsidiary of the Würth Group and can thus look back on more than 25 years of experience in the field of workwear and safety footwear.

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Run over two laps of the track, the 800 metres sits between sprinting and longer middle-distance racing. It is a tactical test as much as a physical one, with athletes often racing in packs, protecting position and timing their final kick. The event demands efficient running mechanics, race intelligence and a strong anaerobic capacity. European athletes have excelled in this discipline for decades, making it a consistently competitive and unpredictable race.

800 metres

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The 200 metres blends the power of the short sprint with the challenge of running a controlled curve. Athletes build speed through the bend before driving into the home straight, aiming to maintain momentum without tightening or losing stride rhythm. Success depends on combining fast acceleration with the ability to hold technique under pressure. The event has produced many memorable European championship performances, often highlighting specialist sprinters who excel in technical curve running.

200 metres

These sprint hurdles events require athletes to combine explosive speed with flawless rhythm over a set number of barriers. Runners must achieve a consistent stride pattern to clear each hurdle cleanly without breaking speed. A clipped hurdle can ruin momentum, while perfect technique creates a smooth, fast race. The short distance leaves no margin for error, making start reaction and precision critical.

100 metres hurdles (women) / 110 metres hurdles (men)

Relay events combine individual speed with coordinated teamwork. The 4x100 metres relies on fast, precise baton exchanges at high speed, with timing and communication proving as important as outright pace. The 4x400 metres tests speed-endurance, strategy and mental resilience as teams select athletes for specific legs. The mixed 4x400 metres adds the challenge of gender order selection, making race tactics central to success. Relays consistently produce some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments in championship athletics.

Relays: 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres, Mixed 4x400 metres

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Apeldoorn is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands and among the largest municipalities in Gelderland. It is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 161,000. Apeldoorn has a charming and lively inner city and a young, sports-minded population.

The town is easily accessible by car (A1 motorway) and train. The proximity of large cities such as Utrecht (59 kilometre) and Amsterdam (75 kilometre) and its space and tranquillity make Apeldoorn one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. The area mainly consists of woods and heath-lands and is a popular destination for tourism, in particular hiking and cycling.

The Dutch royal family has always had close ties with the city. Apeldoorn is home to the stately Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family and nowadays a national museum. Apeldoorn is possibly the most athletic-minded city in the Netherlands.

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The 400 metres hurdles is one of the most technically demanding events on the track. Athletes complete a full lap while clearing evenly spaced hurdles, forcing them to maintain rhythm even as fatigue peaks. Mastery of stride pattern, pace control and hurdle execution is essential. The race is known for dramatic changes of position in the final straight as athletes fight both their rivals and the physical demands of the event.

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Race walking involves covering long distances under strict technique rules. Athletes must maintain continuous ground contact and keep the front leg straight as it lands, making endurance and technical discipline equally important. Races are often tactical, with pacing and efficiency playing a major role. Europe has a long history of success in this event, which remains a key part of the championships programme.

Race walking

The decathlon features ten events spread across two days and is regarded as one of the most complete tests in sport. Athletes compete in sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and middle-distance running. Success depends on technical skill, physical strength, endurance and mental focus across a demanding schedule. The best decathletes are celebrated for their versatility and their ability to perform across a broad spectrum of athletic challenges.

Decathlon (men)

The heptathlon brings together seven events across two days: hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. Athletes must demonstrate versatility, technical skill and endurance across a wide range of disciplines. Scoring rewards consistency and all-round ability rather than excellence in only one area. The event is seen as a major test of complete athletic talent and resilience.

Heptathlon (women)

In hammer throw, athletes spin several times while controlling a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The challenge is to build rotational speed while maintaining balance and directing the hammer accurately into the sector. Technical precision and body control are essential, particularly during the final release. The event is one of the most demanding in the throws discipline.

Hammer throw

Javelin throwers combine a fast run-up with a technically efficient release of a spear-shaped implement. The discipline requires speed, mobility, shoulder strength and careful control of the javelin’s angle and trajectory. Athletes must generate force during the run-up while protecting their technique during the final delivery. The event has a long European tradition and regularly produces dramatic long throws in championship settings.

Javelin throw

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The marathon covers a distance of 42.195 kilometres and stands as one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics. Athletes must balance pacing, energy management and hydration while navigating a long road course that often includes changes in terrain and elevation. The race typically develops through distinct phases, with early caution giving way to decisive moves in the later stages when fatigue begins to bite. Success requires exceptional aerobic capacity, mental resilience and the ability to maintain form over a prolonged distance. The marathon has a long and respected history within European competition and continues to showcase some of the toughest endurance performances in the sport.

Marathon

The 400 metres is a one-lap sprint requiring both speed and controlled pacing. Athletes must judge their effort carefully, building a strong opening but leaving enough in reserve to withstand the final straight when fatigue peaks. The event rewards those with both raw sprinting talent and excellent speed-endurance. Historically, it has produced dramatic finishes as runners push to their limits in the closing metres.

400 metres

Shot putters throw a solid metal ball from within a throwing circle, using either a glide or rotational technique. The event rewards explosive strength, balance and precise timing at release. Competitors must generate maximum power while staying within the circle, making technique as important as physical strength. Shot put has long been a central event in European championships, showcasing powerful and technically skilled athletes.

Shot put

The high jump challenges athletes to clear a steadily rising bar using a curved approach and a powerful take-off. Competitors must time their run-up perfectly, converting horizontal speed into vertical lift. The Fosbury Flop technique, now universal, requires exceptional body control as athletes arch over the bar. The event builds drama as the bar climbs higher and attempts become limited, often culminating in head-to-head duels.

High jump

The longest standard track race, the 10,000 metres tests stamina, concentration and consistent pacing across twenty five laps. Athletes must manage physical strain as the race progresses, responding to surges and maintaining rhythm even as fatigue builds. Historically, European Championships have seen both cagey tactical contests and fast, relentless front-running performances. The event rewards those with strong endurance and the mental strength to stay composed for a long duration.

10,000 metres

The 100 metres is the shortest outdoor sprint and sets the benchmark for pure speed in athletics. Athletes accelerate from blocks and reach top velocity within seconds, maintaining form through a high-intensity dash down the straight. Reaction time is often decisive at this distance, with races won and lost by hundredths of a second. The event has a long tradition of showcasing the fastest men and women in Europe, and it remains one of the most watched races at any championship.

100 metres

The 5000 metres is a long-distance track race demanding aerobic endurance, tactical awareness and mental focus. Athletes complete twelve and a half laps, managing pace while responding to changes initiated by rivals. Success often depends on staying relaxed early before increasing pace in the closing stages. The event has evolved over time from slow, tactical races to consistently fast, aggressive championship battles.

5000 metres

The long jump blends speed, power and precise timing. Athletes sprint along a runway and take off from a board, aiming to maintain momentum into a controlled flight and efficient landing. Key elements include accuracy on the approach and the ability to transfer horizontal velocity into lift. The discipline has deep roots in athletics history and remains a showcase of raw jumping ability.

Long jump

The steeplechase combines distance running with technical obstacle work. Athletes clear barriers and a water jump each lap, requiring controlled footwork, balance and the ability to accelerate after each obstacle. Competitors must maintain rhythm while adjusting stride patterns to navigate hurdles efficiently. The event has become a staple of European competition, producing races that test both endurance and precise technique under pressure.

3000 metres steeplechase

The discus throw requires athletes to rotate within a circle to build momentum before releasing a heavy disc into the throwing sector. Balance, footwork and technique dictate success, with release angle and timing crucial for long distances. The event dates back to ancient athletics and has remained a showcase of technical throwing skill throughout European competition.

Discus throw

Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, coordination and courage. Athletes sprint down the runway, plant the pole and use it to propel themselves over a set height. Each attempt challenges timing, body control and technique, particularly during inversion and bar clearance. The event is known for its progression of rising heights and the technical battles between athletes to master complex vaulting mechanics.

Pole vault

The triple jump consists of a hop, step and jump in one continuous sequence. Athletes must generate and maintain forward momentum through each phase, requiring rhythm, leg strength and technical consistency. Distances depend on a smooth transition between phases and a balanced landing. The event demands a combination of speed and coordination unique within the jumps programme.

Triple jump

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The 1500 metres is the classic middle-distance race. It requires athletes to balance steady pacing with the agility to respond to tactical changes and late surges. Many races unfold with a controlled early pace before a fast acceleration in the final lap, where positioning becomes critical. The event has a rich European history, often producing championship finals filled with strategy, resilience and highly competitive sprint finishes.

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For athletes at every level, sporting ambition should never come at the expense of mental wellbeing. European Athletics is marking World Mental Health Day today by highlighting the importance of mental health as part of its wider Race for Respect programme.
The accompanying video features 16-year-old Belgian hurdler Jan Geirnaert, who reached the 110m hurdles semi-finals at this summer&rsquo;s European Athletics U18 Championships in Rieti after saying he wanted to enjoy his first European Championships and not put pressure on himself.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5S2PWcC40qg?si=7akdZLlzdvQJws1G" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>Athletes&rsquo; Zone</h3>
That message has also formed part of European Athletics&rsquo; work with the next generation. Mental health was among the subjects addressed in the Athletes&rsquo; Zone in Rieti, alongside safeguarding, respect and responsible use of social media.
By encouraging young athletes to recognise the importance of their mental wellbeing alongside their physical preparation and sporting goals, European Athletics aims to help create an environment in which looking after mental health is regarded as an integral part of being an athlete.

Mind over medals on World Mental Health Day

Reigning world indoor 400m champion Lurdes Gloria Manuel is aiming to replicate this success on the continental stage at the 2027 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain from 4-7 March.
The Czech star made history by becoming the youngest ever winner of the world indoor 400m title in Torun this March although she is still targeting an elusive senior medal on the European stage.&nbsp;
Only 21, Manuel finished fourth in intensely competitive 400m finals at both the 2024 and 2026 European Athletics Championships. Manuel finished fourth again at the 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn in a race won by her training partner Lieke Klaver although she did have the consolation of anchoring Czechia to a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791559843/GettyImages-2203774828.jpg">
In an <a href="https://www.atletika.cz/novinky/tesim-se-i-na-halu-ale-venek-bude-hlavni-rika-manuel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in-depth interview with Czech Athletics</a>, her coach Laurent Meuwly confirms Valencia 2027 features in her racing plans where individual and relay medals are the objective.&nbsp;&nbsp;
"If the preparation goes according to plan, we are counting on a standard indoor season, the main goal of which will be the European Indoor Championships in Valencia. The ambition will be to win an individual medal and possibly another with the relay.&nbsp;
"After that, we want to put together the outdoor season in such a way that Lurdes stays fresh and is in top form in September at the World Championships in Beijing. There, our goal will be to advance to the top eight," said Meuwly.
Manuel made big advancements outdoors this year, becoming just the third Czech in history to run under 50 seconds for 400m, a feat which she achieved five times, including in the semifinals of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham where she clocked 49.81 to seal her place in the final.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791559844/GettyImages-2290299827.jpg">
But such was the quality and depth of the women's 400m in Birmingham, Manuel was dealt a somewhat unfavourite draw of lane eight in the final in which she finished a distant fourth in a race dominated by Norway&rsquo;s Henriette Jaeger who won gold in 49.04.
"My coach and I discussed the race thoroughly and there were several things that were against me. I wanted to fight for a medal, but also because I had no competition in front of me, I started too fast. It was also quite cold and I run well in the heat," said Manuel on the post-race debrief.
<h3 dir="ltr">Beijing via Bydgoszcz</h3>
Looking ahead to the outdoor season which culminates with the World Championships in Beijing in mid-September, Meuwly has also suggested the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland from 22-25 July could be another important step on the road to Beijing.
"Lurdes has to gradually learn to handle a long season with several important peaks. That's something that comes mainly with experience. We will probably also include the European U23 Championship in the programme but we don't want to decide yet in which discipline Lurdes will compete there," said Meuwly on her racing plans.
After a long and arduous season during which she raced 23 times, Manuel will resume full training for the 2027 season in mid-October at her training base in Papendal in the Netherlands under Meuwly&rsquo;s expert tutelage.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791560116/GettyImages-2267727902.jpg">
An exciting addition to his ever-expanding and diverse training group which famously features Femke Broeders-Bol is Manuel&rsquo;s Czech compatriot Michal Rada, the reigning world and European U20 400m hurdles champion who is one of three finalists for the men&rsquo;s Rising Star award at the Golden Tracks in Lausanne on 25 October.
"We are both from the south of Bohemia, so we know each other quite well. I hope he will like the group, and I am especially looking forward to seeing how he will adapt to the training. We speak English with everyone, so it is nice that now I will have someone there with whom I can speak Czech," said Manuel.

World indoor champion Manuel targets more indoor success in Valencia 2027

With five months still to go before the Valencia 2027 European Athletics Indoor Championships, tickets for all but two sessions have already sold out online as the Spanish city prepares to welcome Europe&rsquo;s leading athletes from 4-7 March 2027.
Only Thursday (4) evening and Friday (5) morning currently have tickets available through general online sales. Demand has been particularly strong for the weekend sessions, with more than 2000 people on a waiting list.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.enterticket.es/eventos/european-athletics-indoor-championships-2027-324832?dm_i=7KOS,2LK98,3IA7CO,5UW1Z,1,0,0,0&amp;_gl=1*13bk18v*_ga*ODU5MjU1OTEyLjE3NDMwNjM4NzA.*_ga_RNEKQ3RH93*czE3NzM5MTQyODIkbzYwMSRnMCR0MTc3MzkxNDI4MiRqNjAkbDAkaDA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy tickets</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Peleteiro-Compaor&eacute; targeting Valencia 2027</h3>
There are plenty of reasons for athletics fans to take advantage of the remaining availability, not least the prospect of seeing one of Spain's most popular athletes return to major championship competition.
Ana Peleteiro-Compaor&eacute;, the reigning European indoor triple jump champion and 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, has set her sights on competing in Valencia following the birth of her second child.&nbsp;
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eg6A18NvZcY?si=AlAixuV3cMIWi7_G" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The 30-year-old recently spoke about her ambition to return at the championships during an appearance on the popular Spanish television programme La Revuelta.
With qualification for the women's triple jump scheduled for Thursday (4) evening, spectators at the opening session could have the opportunity to watch Peleteiro begin her campaign on home soil, should she secure her place in the Spanish team.
<h3>Las Fallas celebrations</h3>
The championships will also coincide with the opening days of Las Fallas, Valencia's spectacular annual festival of fireworks, music and street celebrations.
Beginning on 1 March and building towards its climax on 19 March, the festival transforms the city with elaborate displays and daily masclet&agrave;s &ndash; thunderous firecracker spectacles that draw crowds to the city centre.
For international athletics fans, the combination offers an opportunity to experience both championship athletics and one of Spain's most distinctive cultural celebrations.
With preparations gathering pace and most sessions already sold out online, supporters hoping to attend the championships are being encouraged to secure their tickets for Thursday evening and Friday morning while seats remain available.

Valencia 2027 | Just two sessions remain on general sale

Germany&rsquo;s Mohamed Abdilaahi has set his sights on European and world records after returning to training following the foot injury which ruled him out of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season on the international stage, claiming Diamond League victories and setting German records of 7:25.77 for 3000m and 26:56.58 for 10,000m, both of which topped the world lists.
But an ankle injury sustained during a training camp in Ethiopia ultimately derailed his Birmingham 2026 ambitions.
&ldquo;I was very sad that I couldn't be there, because that was truly the year in which I showed what's possible,&rdquo; Abdilaahi told Leichtathletik.de.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791542181/GettyImages-2277849036.jpg">
&ldquo;I established myself among the world's elite and celebrated Diamond League victories. My worst result in the Diamond League was second place.&rdquo;
<h3>World and European record focus</h3>
Now back in training and already logging 140km a week, Abdilaahi has even loftier ambitions.
&ldquo;I think we won't be talking about German records in the next few years. I'm focusing on completely different times,&rdquo; he said.
"I think it's better to leave that open. But it does say something if you're no longer focusing on German records. Then only European and world records remain. Let me put it this way: I'm not afraid of them and I certainly believe I can break them."
The 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing will be his main priority, with Abdilaahi and his father and coach planning a later start to the Diamond League season to ensure he peaks in September.
&ldquo;But of course, the World Championships are the ultimate goal. They're the biggest competition next year, and I hope to be in top form there.&rdquo;
Abdilaahi is also eyeing a German 5km road record and potentially a long-awaited half marathon debut in Valencia or Berlin.
&ldquo;The half marathon really appeals to me,&rdquo; he said, although securing the 10,000m qualifying standard for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games remains the priority.

Germany's Abdilaahi targets European and world records as he sets sights on Beijing 2027

Andreas Almgren is about to enter unknown territory.
On Sunday 1 November, the Swede will stand on the start line of the New York City Marathon and race 42.195km for the first time.
Few European athletes have ever approached a marathon debut with credentials quite like his.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211507/GettyImages-2290625805_2.jpg">
In August, Almgren produced a devastating performance to win the European 10,000m title in Birmingham in 27:23.44, breaking a championship record which had stood since 1978.
Five weeks later, he stepped onto the roads at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen and became world half marathon champion, surging clear in the closing stages to win in 58:06 &ndash; smashing his own European record by 35 seconds.
Now comes the marathon.
And Almgren is following one of the great traditions of European distance running: outstanding track athletes stepping into the unknown over 42.195km.
&ldquo;I have gone from 400m to half marathons,&rdquo; Almgren reflected after his victory in Copenhagen. &ldquo;Ten years ago, we joked that maybe one day I would run a 5km race. Now I am world champion in the half marathon and I am going to have my marathon debut in New York.&rdquo;
From Emil Z&aacute;topek attempting his first marathon at the 1952 Olympic Games to Sifan Hassan's extraordinary victory on her marathon debut in London in 2023, some of Europe's greatest distance runners have discovered that moving up to the marathon can redefine a career.
Before Almgren takes his first steps into marathon territory in New York, we look back at 10 marathon performances that changed European athletics.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Emil Z&aacute;topek (CZE) &ndash; Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games</li>
</ul>
The greatest marathon debut of them all?
Z&aacute;topek had already won the Olympic 5000m and 10,000m titles in Helsinki when he decided to contest the marathon &ndash; a distance he had never previously raced.
He won in 2:23:03 to complete an unprecedented Olympic distance treble. More than seven decades later, nobody has repeated it.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Alain Mimoun (FRA) &ndash; Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games</li>
</ul>
For years, Mimoun had lived in Z&aacute;topek's considerable shadow, winning Olympic silver medals behind the Czech great on the track.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211532/GettyImages-52473135.jpg">
At 35, he moved up to the marathon in Melbourne. This time there was no Z&aacute;topek ahead of him. Mimoun won Olympic gold in 2:25:00, with his great friend and rival finishing sixth.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Rosa Mota (POR) &ndash; Athens 1982 European Athletics Championships</li>
</ul>
A landmark not only for European athletics, but for women's distance running. The inaugural women's marathon at the European Athletics Championships was staged on the historic route from Marathon to Athens.
It was also Mota's marathon debut.&nbsp;
The Portuguese athlete won in 2:36:03 and would go on to dominate the event, successfully defending her European title in 1986 and 1990 and winning Olympic gold in 1988.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Carlos Lopes (POR) &ndash; Rotterdam 1985</li>
</ul>
Already the reigning Olympic champion, Lopes travelled to Rotterdam and took men's marathon running somewhere it had never been before.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211563/GettyImages-1237284.jpg">
His 2:07:12 world record made him the first man to break 2:08. Even more remarkably, Lopes was 38.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) &ndash; London 1985</li>
</ul>
Women's marathon running was developing at extraordinary speed during the 1980s and Kristiansen was one of the athletes driving that revolution.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211584/GettyImages-1626575.jpg">
Her 2:21:06 world record in London - just one day after Lopes' record breaking run in Rotterdam - moved the women's event into another realm and established the Norwegian as one of the defining distance runners of her generation.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Gelindo Bordin (ITA) &ndash; Seoul 1988 Olympic Games</li>
</ul>
Europe's remarkable marathon era continued in Seoul.
The reigning European champion timed his challenge superbly, making his decisive move in the closing kilometres to become Italy's first Olympic marathon champion.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211609/GettyImages-1917664.jpg">
Lopes, Mota and Bordin meant European athletes won three of the four men's and women's Olympic marathon titles across Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Paula Radcliffe (GBR) &ndash; Chicago 2002</li>
</ul>
Radcliffe had spent much of her track career pushing the pace from the front.
When she turned seriously to the marathon, she did exactly the same.
In only her second marathon, Radcliffe ran 2:17:18 in Chicago, breaking the world record and dramatically changing perceptions of how fast a woman could run 42.195km.
But she wasn't finished.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Paula Radcliffe (GBR) &ndash; London 2003</li>
</ul>
Six months later came the masterpiece.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791465172/GettyImages-1976074.jpg">
In front of an expectant home crowd, Radcliffe attacked from the outset in London and stopped the clock at an astonishing 2:15:25, taking almost another two minutes from her world record.
The mark would survive for 16 years and became one of the most recognisable numbers in distance running.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Sifan Hassan (NED) &ndash; London 2023</li>
</ul>
If Almgren needs reminding that marathon debuts don't always go according to plan, he could watch Hassan's first attempt.
The Dutchwoman stopped to stretch, lost contact with the leaders and appeared to be out of contention.
Then she came back.&nbsp;Hassan caught the lead group and, after 42 kilometres of drama, still possessed enough speed to outsprint her rivals on The Mall and win in 2:18:33.
It was one of the most extraordinary marathon debuts the event has seen.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Sifan Hassan (NED) &ndash; Paris 2024 Olympic Games</li>
</ul>
Seventy-two years after Z&aacute;topek attempted an audacious Olympic distance treble, another European great decided to test the limits.
Hassan raced the 5000m, 10,000m and marathon in Paris, winning bronze medals on the track before lining up for the marathon just 37 hours after the 10,000m final.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1791211645/GettyImages-2166289143_1.jpg">
She then defeated Ethiopia's&nbsp;Tigst Assefa in a dramatic sprint finish to win Olympic gold in 2:22:55.
Z&aacute;topek and Hassan's achievements were separated by more than seven decades, but the audacity of their ambitions was identical.
<h3>800m runner to marathon contender</h3>
And that brings the story back to Almgren.
A decade ago, the Swede was an 800m runner who admits he had no intention of becoming a distance specialist.
Now he is European 10,000m champion, world half marathon champion and the European half marathon record-holder. On 1 November in New York, there is one final step up distance left for him to take.
European marathon history is full of athletes who found something extraordinary when they stepped into the unknown.
What will Andreas Almgren find in New York?

From Zátopek to Hassan: 10 races that changed European marathon running history

The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon returns on 25 October and German trio Amanal Petros, Samuel Fitwi and Richard Ringer will look to impress in the men&rsquo;s field while Ethiopia&rsquo;s Zeineba Yimer headlines the women&rsquo;s race.
Petros enters the race as the reigning European champion and 2025 world silver medallist, so will be aiming to take the win in front of his home crowd in Germany.
But Ringer also has a European title to his name from 2022, and Fitwi placed ninth at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships so together they will be making up a strong German line up.
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Though joining them will be the 2024 winner, 24-year-old Kenyan Benard Biwott, as well as Ethiopia&rsquo;s Andualem Belay, and Israel&rsquo;s Haimro Alame.
In the women&rsquo;s race Yimer is one of just three athletes that have a PB under 2:20:00, with America&rsquo;s Betsy Saina and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Buzunesh Getachew completing the trio.
Germany will be represented by 24-year-old Blanka D&ouml;rfel, who will be making her marathon debut after taking the national title in the 10,000m earlier this year.