Andreas Almgren’s New York Marathon Win Counts för Idrottsgalan 2027

Swedish distance runner Andreas Almgren’s victory in the New York City Marathon will be included in the nominations for Idrottsgalan 2027, the Swedish Sports Academy announced after its nomination meeting Thursday evening, SVT reported. Almgren won the marathon on Nov. 1 — one day after the Oct. 31 deadline for sports federations to submit nominations — but the academy’s rules allow exceptions for performances occurring after the deadline but before the nomination meeting itself.

The decision means Almgren, already the favorite for the male athlete of the year award based on his world championship gold in the half marathon and European title in the 10,000 meters, can now also add the New York win to his case. According to SVT, multiple sources confirmed the marathon victory will be counted, raising his chances in the “Performance of the Year” category as well.

Why the Exception Was Made

Jury chairman Lasse Granqvist told Expressen that the jury can make exceptions when a performance “can be considered to have bearing in the near term.” Because Almgren’s win came just one day after the deadline and before Thursday’s meeting, the academy decided to include it. The academy’s regulations state that certain performances occurring after Oct. 31 but before the nomination meeting may be counted on an exceptional basis.

Almgren is also a leading favorite for Svenska Dagbladet’s Bragdguld, awarded in early December, according to SVT.

Almgren’s Record-Breaking Marathon Finale

Almgren, 31, won his first-ever marathon with a powerful final stretch. Expressen reported that he covered the final 2,195 meters in 6 minutes and 1 second — the second-fastest closing segment in marathon history. Only Sebastian Sawe’s 5:51 final push in winning the London Marathon earlier this year in 1:59:30 was faster.

Almgren said he wished he had known about the split beforehand. “It was a bit of a shame I didn’t have that in mind before. I could have sprinted more in the last 200 meters, but I felt I wanted to save up and enjoy it a bit,” he told Expressen. “But had I known it was that, I might have been able to grab first place there.”

Kajsa Bergqvist’s Tears

Swedish athletics captain Kajsa Bergqvist watched the final kilometer from her couch and cried, Expressen reported. The moment carried personal weight: Almgren was the favorite of her late father, Gunnar Bergqvist, who for many years chaired Turebergs FK, Almgren’s club. “It’s always extra emotional when Andreas runs. He was my dad’s big favorite and I imagine my old man sitting there yelling and crying with joy,” she said.

“Nobody, not even himself, knows where the limit is,” she said. “He ran this race to win and he did it comfortably.”

Almgren’s Upcoming Awards Appearances

The Bragdguld ceremony takes place in early December, followed by Idrottsgalan in January, where Almgren will be a contender for both male athlete of the year and performance of the year.

More on this story: Andreas Almgren runs New York City Marathon