Ten lessons from Jakob Ingebrigtsen, one of the world’s most beguiling athletes

Norwegian is meticulous in his training regime – ‘if there’s anything that’s out of my control, then I’ve not done my job properly’

On a snowy Norwegian morning in January, Jakob Ingebrigtsen was on his treadmill, shooting the breeze about his running philosophy before our more formal interview. I should write something on this, I told him. Sure, came the reply.

In recent weeks, the 26‑year‑old has added to his legacy with a European 5,000m gold, the World Ultimate 5,000m title and a world road silver medal despite achilles surgery in February and a flu that lingered through May and June. So now seems as good a time as any.