The 42nd edition of the Vienna Marathon, to be held this Sunday, promises to be an exciting event with the participation of three outstanding Kenyan runners: Justus Kangogo, Asbel Rutto and Stanley Kurgat. During the pre-event press conference, the athletes announced their intention to attack their personal bests. Kangogo leads the start list with a time of 2:05:57 as his personal best. The event, recognized as an elite label race by World Athletics, is Austria’s premier marathon and will feature more than 45,000 participants in all its forms, of which more than 13,000 will run the full distance, an all-time record.
Vienna Marathon CEO Dominik Konrad highlighted the event’s impact on the local economy and its growing popularity. “We are experiencing a new boom in running. We received a lot of registrations from the very beginning and that trend did not stop. This marathon has become a huge factor for Vienna’s economy, with runners from 146 nations, which is another record before the start,” Konrad said.
Johannes Langner, coordinator of the elite races, explained that the leading group will aim to pass the half marathon in a time of between 62:30 and 62:45, while a second group will run approximately one minute slower. However, weather conditions may not be ideal, as temperatures are expected to be just above freezing at the start of the race, which could hamper the attempt to break the course record of 2:05:08.
KENYAN FAVORITES AND THEIR TARGETS
With no clear favorite in the men’s category, organizers expect an exciting fight for victory. Asbel Rutto, 23, emphasized his style of running at the front: “I am a runner who leads. If you fall behind, you can’t win the race. My goal on Sunday will be to achieve a personal best.” Rutto has a personal best time of 2:06:24, achieved by breaking the course record in Rome last year.
Justus Kangogo, who recorded his best of 2:05:57 in Berlin two years ago, was enthusiastic about Rutto’s strategy. “I am also a leading runner, so we will work together. And when we finish, we will celebrate,” Kangogo commented. He also expressed optimism about the Vienna Marathon course, which he described as attractive, and is confident that, weather permitting, he will be able to improve his personal best.
