Jakob Ingebrigtsen: “The world 1500m record is a much bigger challenge than 3000m”

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The Norwegian superstar aims to dominate many disciplines in track and field but his immediate focus is on the 1500m in Brussels

Jakob Ingebrigtsen believes that he “has a good shot of breaking many world records” and that “the world 1500m record is a much bigger challenge than 3000m”.

Ahead of the Diamond League final in Brussels, the Norwegian opened up about his ambitions to break up to 10 world records during his career, which essentially means everything from the 1500m up to the marathon.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen History

Jakob Ingebrigtsen holds the world indoor 1500m record, both 2000m and 3000m marks as well as the world best for two miles.

At the Silesia Diamond League, the 23-year-old demolished Daniel Komen’s world 3000m record of 7:20.67 from 1996 – viewed as one of the toughest ever marks to break – with an incredible 7:17.55.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen crossed the line with his mouth wide open, indicating that even the Norwegian was astonished to break it by that much.

He now ends his track and field season over 1500m at Memorial Van Damme but doesn’t want to get too drawn on Hicham El Guerrouj’s world 1500m record of 3:26.00, a mark that has lasted since 1998.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who is fourth on the all-time list with 3:26.73, stated that the factors contributing to a possible world record, apart from conditions, are “fitness, pacing, splits and the time of year maybe”.

He added: “The 1500m mark is not easily beatable and statistically it’s been impossible for many years. There’s always a possibility but it most likely won’t happen in Brussels.”

The Norwegian also wasn’t drawn into rumours about a potential half-marathon debut in Copenhagen on September 15, stating “I’m focused on the 1500m and what I do after that I don’t know”.

Here’s what he said at the press conference ahead of the Brussels Diamond League:

You know hold three world records, how many do you think it’s possible to break and what would it take to break them? 

Jakob Ingebrigten Records

I think it’s possible to break every record. They are world records for a reason because they are the best performances by an athlete in history. But we’ve seen it that over the past couple of years they are beatable. You can’t just wake up and jump in a race to do it though. Everything needs to be aligned. You may need to make a couple of attempts for everything to be perfect.

If I’m at my best and I’m able to get a chance in different events, I have a good shot of breaking many world records. There’s still a lot of time in my career though to do that. I’ve got a few already at not too many attempts so it’s a good start.

What are you doing in training that makes you think some of the longer distances are possible, like the 10km and half-marathon for example? 

As you know I come from a philosophy that is based around strength, running a lot of mileage and doing a lot work around threshold. At the same time that’s [longer distances] not something on my mind right now. I’ll hopefully be winning the 1500m here in Brussels.

If the conditions are fine, what are the factors that could make you think the world 1500m record is possible? 

There’s fitness, pacing, splits and the time of year maybe. There is always a chance of breaking them but they are not easy. Of course I would love to get as many shots as running as fast as I can but it’s also about being realistic. Speaking so much about it ruins the value of the world record. The 1500m mark is not easily beatable and statistically it’s been impossible for many years. There’s always a possibility but it most likely won’t happen in Brussels.

You had a cold in Zurich so how are you feeling and is there also more motivation after finishing second to Yared Nuguse?

I don’t think I lack in motivation. I’m always eager to compete as that’s the reward for all the training I do. At the same time, it’s not fun to do something when you’re feeling extra tired or a little bit off your game. After a couple of days back home in Norway, it [cold] calmed down a little bit and I had a few good sessions on the track. I’m ready for Brussels and I want to show my good side.

Where would you rank breaking Daniel Komen’s longstanding world 3000m record in you career? 

It was a very good race and I felt great so all the ingredients were there for me to run that fast. At the same time it’s all about the perspective of who watches and experiences it. For me that record was extremely strong – based off the statistics of the amount of athletes who tried to break it – but it was a great fit for me in terms of both distance and pace.

Of course it feels easier in that sense because I’m so well suited to it. The 1500m world record is a much bigger challenge for me. The greater the challenge, the better it’d feel to break it. But that’s still all down to perspective. For me that’s how it is for others it’s different.

You’re quite a data driven athlete from training. Are you seeing improvements in that and because of that cumulative training do you expect to be better again next year? 

Definitely. With our philosophy of working it’s all about one year, two years, three years, four years. Eventually we thought that the threshold pace that we could run for an hour would hit a roof. Even if the gains are marginal though you are still improving and that makes you stronger. You can also look at things like recovery. I feel like I’m improving year after year so I see no reason why that can’t continue next year.

It’s also important not to have major setbacks as it’s crucial to have that simulation month after month and year after year, over a longer period of time. So I will work over the next couple of months and through the winter to be a lot better prepared going into 2025.

What are your thoughts about the 2025 Tokyo World Championships? 

I was lucky to be able to participate in the Olympics in Tokyo but under the circumstances it was of course difficult to get the whole experience. So I’m very much looking forward to experiencing the people, culture and the city more this time round. I have some good memories from Japan and I’m looking forward to getting back.

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