The Sunday Facsa Castellón 10K has secured its place in track and field history. In just one hour, two European records fell, while 20-year-old Ugandan debutant Harbert Kibet clocked the fifth-fastest time in history for the distance, finishing in 26:39.
Yann Schrub Crowned New Continental Record Holder
The men’s race in Castellón was poised for speed from the start, thanks to a flat course and a world-class field. Pacemaker Mike Foppen set the rhythm, leading a seven-man lead pack through the halfway mark in 13:23. Among the top favorites was Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, who had set the European record of 26:45 in Valencia just weeks prior. Although Almgren managed to equal that mark in Spain to finish third, he was eclipsed by Yann Schrub of France. The 29-year-old Schrub crossed the finish line in 26:43, improving the continental record by two seconds and moving to sixth on the world all-time list. Schrub, who recently broke the French indoor 3000m record, admitted after the race that while he was aiming for a national record, a European record was a major surprise.
The unexpected overall winner was Harbert Kibet from Uganda. Making his 10km debut, the 20-year-old attacked with about 1.5 km remaining and sprinted solo to the finish. His time of 26:39 is currently the fastest in the world this year and just one second shy of the mark set by his famous compatriot, Joshua Cheptegei. Finishing behind Schrub and Almgren, Kenyan Silas Senchura took fourth in 26:58, meaning four runners broke the 27-minute barrier in a single race.
Facsa Castellón 10K – Men’s Results:
- Harbert Kibet (UGA) 26:39
- Yann Schrub (FRA) 26:43
- Andreas Almgren (SWE) 26:45
- Silas Senchura (KEN) 26:58
- Biniyam Melak (ETH) 27:10
- Bereket Nega (ETH) 27:39
Megan Keith Claims Eilish McColgan’s Record
The women’s race provided equal drama, continuing an incredible streak of shifts at the top of the European rankings. In the last seven weeks, the women’s European 10km record has changed hands three times. The latest entry in the record books belongs to Megan Keith, who clocked 30:07 in Castellón. The 23-year-old Briton improved the mark of her compatriot, Eilish McColgan, by one second (set this January in Valencia). Keith started boldly, passing the 5km mark in 14:57, raising hopes she might become the first European woman to sub-30 minutes. Although she slowed slightly in the second half, it was enough to claim the official continental lead.
Kenya’s Caroline Makandi Gitonga was untouchable in the overall race, winning in 29:34 and smashing her personal best by over a minute. Her performance ranks her ninth in world history. Megan Keith finished fourth overall, notably beating Eilish McColgan, who finished sixth in 30:35. For McColgan, the race was a key tune-up for the London Marathon on April 26. It was a tougher day for Belgium’s Jana Van Lent—a former record holder—who suffered a heavy fall at the start line but still finished eighth in 30:50.
Facsa Castellón 10K – Women’s Results:
- Caroline Gitonga (KEN) 29:34
- Nelvin Jepkemboi (KEN) 29:45
- Chaltu Dida (ETH) 29:50
- Megan Keith (GBR) 30:07
- Purity Gitonga (KEN) 30:25
- Eilish McColgan (GBR) 30:35
The Road to Birmingham and Glasgow
Megan Keith’s success is particularly impressive considering she was at “ground zero” just a year ago following an injury after the Paris Olympics. Her steady return to form included a 10th-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo and a European Cross Country silver in late 2024. Keith now plans to make her half-marathon debut on March 15 in New York City. Her summer season looks equally busy; she will represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before contending for medals at the European Championships in Birmingham this August.
Yann Schrub also confirmed he is in the form of his life as he builds a base for the summer track season. Like Keith and McColgan, the Frenchman has announced his participation in the Birmingham championships. The results from Castellón highlight the rapid evolution of European road racing. The fact that three of the four fastest women’s 10km times in continental history were set in the opening weeks of 2026 shows how high the bar has been raised. Castellón, with its reputation as a lightning-fast course, once again proved to be the ultimate stage for European distance running.
New Challenges on the Horizon
The record-breaking performances in Spain serve as an excellent preview for the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham. New record-holders Megan Keith and Yann Schrub have proven they can compete with the world’s fastest runners, signaling an incredibly close battle for the top spots in the upcoming summer season.
