Editor’s Comments: The truth is, Jakob Ingebrigtsen is a superstar around the world, not just in Norway and Europe. I recell a couple of years ago, Jakob was in the stands post Bowerman Mile and there was a group of several hundred high schoolers who really wanted to meet Jakob. His podcasts are very successful , his sponsors love him, and when Jakob races, Norwegian TV sets viewership records!
Jakob decided to withdraw from the SPAR European cross-country, which is a big deal, as Jakob was a big draw, this was piece by European writer, Steve Mills, for European Athletics!
Jakob Ingebrigtsen has chosen to miss the 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal on 14 December, by Steve Mills, for European Athletics!
Ingebrigtsen, who won his third senior title in Antalya last year, was named on the initial Norwegian team for Lagoa on 25 November but the 25-year-old has opted to skip the championships to prioritise the 2026 season.
“Jakob has had a very good training period at altitude in recent weeks and has decided to skip the European Cross Country Championships in order to focus fully on the 2026 season. We support the decision and look forward to the upcoming season,” said Norwegian Athletics Association sports director Erlend Slokvik as quoted by NRK.
Read the entire piece from Steven Mills at European Athletics: https://www.european-athletics.com/home/news/ingebrigtsen-withdraws-from-2025-spar-european-cross-country-championships
