San Juan Capistrano, California – Mohamed Abdilaahi, running at The Ten meet in San Juan Capistrano, delivered a stunning performance on Saturday, breaking Dieter Baumann’s nearly 29-year-old German record in the 10,000 meters. The 27-year-old from Club Cologne Athletics finished the race in 26:56.58, surpassing Baumann’s previous best of 27:21.53 set in Barakaldo, Spain, on April 5, 1997, by more than 24 seconds. He also secured the win in the race.
“I am mega happy and simply grateful that it worked out so well,” Abdilaahi said, according to reports. The record is still pending official confirmation.
The achievement marks a significant moment in German distance running, with Abdilaahi becoming the first German athlete to complete the 10,000m in under 27 minutes. The performance comes on the heels of a remarkable year for the athlete, who also improved Baumann’s 5,000m record in Monaco last year by 1.07 seconds, clocking in at 12:53.63.
Baumann, the 1992 Olympic champion in the 5,000m, reacted positively to the news, stating, “That’s great, everything has to come together. He should enjoy it,” as reported by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Baumann admitted the record was “expected,” having followed Abdilaahi’s progress. He further commented on Abdilaahi’s fearless approach to racing, noting, “He has something great: such audacity, such craziness. He approaches races without setting limits for himself. Otherwise, you only limit yourself.”
Abdilaahi’s breakthrough performance builds on momentum established earlier this year. In Valencia, he set a new German record for the 10-kilometer road race, surpassing the previous mark held by Amanal Petros, a Marathon World Championship runner-up. “Valencia went very well, and I’m not the best road runner. If I run well on the road, I’m much, much stronger on the track,” Abdilaahi explained after his California triumph.
The race unfolded strategically, with Abdilaahi taking the lead alongside Ky Robinson (Australia), Gulveer Singh (India), and Ahmed Muhumed (USA) early on, aided by pacemakers. The leading group maintained consistent laps under 65 seconds. The first pacemaker dropped out at 3,000 meters, while the second continued to set the pace until the halfway point. Singh began to fall behind just before the 6,000-meter mark, followed by Muhumed two laps later, leaving Abdilaahi and Robinson to battle for the win.
Abdilaahi ultimately prevailed after a series of lead changes, finishing just ten seconds shy of the European record of 26:46.57, set by Mo Farah of Great Britain in 2008. This performance places Abdilaahi fifth on the all-time European list.
Another German athlete, Frederik Ruppert of LAV Tübingen, also competed at the event, finishing eighth in the steeplechase with a time of 27:24.53 – just three seconds slower than Baumann’s previous record.
This record-breaking run by Abdilaahi signifies a new era for German distance running. Baumann, reflecting on the significance of the achievement, stated, “Under 13 and under 27 minutes on these two distances – that’s history now.” He expressed hope that Abdilaahi will translate these times into success on the world stage, emphasizing that “records are fleeting, titles remain.” Abdilaahi previously missed qualifying for the 5,000m final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Baumann learned of Abdilaahi’s record-breaking run via a phone call from his wife, Isabelle, who was present in San Juan Capistrano as a coach. The veteran runner has known Abdilaahi for some time and clearly recognizes the young athlete’s potential.
The next major competition for Abdilaahi is yet to be announced, but his recent performances position him as a strong contender for upcoming international championships. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can build on this momentum and achieve further success on the global stage.
Abdilaahi’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and talent, and it marks a new chapter in German athletics. The breaking of Baumann’s long-held record is not just a victory for Abdilaahi, but a source of inspiration for aspiring runners across the country.
