The Vienna City Marathon on April 6 will feature elite Kenyan runners aiming to regain their title, lost to Ethiopia last year. The race will celebrate Johann Strauss’ 200th birthday with classical music. A record number of entries is expected, with strong performances anticipated from the Kenyan trio and notable Austrian competitors.
The upcoming Vienna City Marathon on April 6 promises a vibrant atmosphere infused with classical music, celebrating the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss. The Danube Waltz will play before the race, creating a soft yet exhilarating ambiance as athletes prepare to compete vigorously. The competition features a strong field, with no clear favorite expected to dominate.
Leading the men’s elite field is a trio of elite Kenyan marathoners: Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat. Their personal bests range between 2:06 to 2:07, with other contenders also having performed below 2:09. This marathon has attracted a record close to 13,000 entries, contributing to a total of over 45,000 participants when including shorter running distances.
Kenya aims to reclaim the marathon title they lost to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year, after previously winning four consecutive races, highlighted by Samwel Mailu’s course record of 2:05:08 in 2023. The Kenyan trio demonstrates strong recent performances, indicating their potential success.
Justus Kangogo achieved a personal best of 2:05:57 in Berlin and secured fourth place in Amsterdam with a time of 2:06:45. Douglas Chebii, a consistent performer, ran 2:06:31 in Linz and clocked 2:08:15 at the Dubai Marathon, where he was the fastest Kenyan participant. Stanley Kurgat, at 25 years old, improved his PB to 2:07:05 in Berlin, following a debut of 2:11:50 in Valencia.
Charles Ndiema and Benard Kimeli, both sub-2:09 runners, are also part of the competition, with Ndiema previously placing fourth in Vienna with a time of 2:08:12. Bernard Muia, who narrowly finished second in last year’s marathon with 2:10:42, may surprise competitors, having achieved a personal best of 2:09:17 at the Munich Marathon in 2023.
Austrian record holder Peter Herzog, who previously ran 2:10:06 at the 2020 London Marathon, will lead the national contenders aiming for a finishing time around 2:12. Lemawork Ketema, another former Austrian record holder, seeks a successful return from injury after running 2:10:44.
In conclusion, the Vienna City Marathon is set to be a thrilling event, showcasing top competitors, particularly from Kenya, who aim to reclaim their former glory. The blend of classical music and world-class athletic performance creates an appealing atmosphere, indicated by the record number of participants. Strong individual performances from Kenyan runners coupled with local talents promise an exciting race ahead.
Original Source: www.athletics.africa
