Baumann loses German record over 10,000 meters to Abdilaahi

Mohamed Abdilaahi has broken Dieter Baumann’s ancient German record over 10,000 meters on the track. At the running meeting in San Juan Capistrano in California, the 27-year-old from Club Cologne Athletics beat Dieter Baumann’s almost 29-year-old record by more than 24 seconds (27:21.53 minutes) in 26:56.58 minutes and thus won the race. “I’m super happy and just grateful that it worked so well,” said Abdilaahi. The record still needs to be confirmed.

“That’s great, everything has to fit. He should enjoy it,” Baumann told the German Press Agency. For the 61-year-old, the record came “with an announcement”. The 5000 meter Olympic champion from Barcelona in 1992 set the long-standing best time on April 5, 1997 in Barakaldo, Spain. Last year, Abdilaahi improved Baumann’s 5000 record in Monaco by 1.07 seconds to 12:53.63 minutes.

“Under 13 and under 27 minutes on these two distances – that’s history,” said Baumann. “I would like him to translate these times into races where medals are at stake. Because records are fleeting, titles last.” At the 2025 World Cup in Tokyo, Abdilaahi missed the 5,000 meter final.

The Swabian heard the news of the record by telephone from his wife Isabelle, who was present as a trainer in San Juan Capistrano. Baumann himself met Abdilaahi as a “young guy”. “There’s something really great about him: such impudence, something crazy. He approaches racing without setting any limits for himself. Otherwise you’re just limiting yourself,” said Baumann about the Mönchengladbach native, whose parents come from Somalia.

Abdilaahi caused a stir at the beginning of the year when he improved the German record of runner-up Amanal Petros in the Marathon World Championships over ten kilometers on the road in Valencia. “Valencia ran 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,” he said after his coup in California.

In the USA, a second German runner also scratched the Baumann mark. Obstacle specialist Frederik Ruppert from LAV Tübingen came eighth in 27:24.53, three seconds slower than the now 61-year-old.