Despite Cold Temperatures: Finisher Record at the Vienna Marathon 2025
In both areas, despite cold temperatures, there were also new top marks for finishers. There were 9,286 over the 42.195 km, surpassing the previous record from 2001 by 71 marathoners. Across all events, 39,517 participants crossed the finish line, with the previous top value of 37,633 coming from 2024.
Younger Age Segment at the Vienna Marathon 2025
The younger age segment in the 21 to 35-year-old range has played a significant role in the development. It fits well that the 21-year-old Ethiopian Hatamu Abadi, who won in 2:08:28 hours, was the youngest winner in VCM history. Additionally, the female quota continues to rise. Including the Kenyan Betty Chepkemoi, who led in 2:24:14 hours, the female share of marathon finishers rose above 25 percent for the first time. In the half marathon, this trend is currently moving towards 50:50 with 46 percent.
According to the managing director duo Dominik Konrad and Kathrin Widu, there is potential for further increasing these numbers, with this mainly lying in the Saturday program. "The option is to start earlier on Saturday," Konrad explained on Monday in Vienna during a media discussion. There is still an option for an increase in the children's runs. Konrad: "A total of 50,000 is achievable." The Bat Run was very well received in the Strauss anniversary year. Widu: "There are new ideas for 2026. Offering something for even younger children makes sense."
Konrad: "Nothing that caused us headaches"
According to Konrad, all goals were achieved. "There is nothing that caused us headaches," Konrad summarized. A certain exception was briefly the wrong turn of some marathoners halfway towards the half marathon finish, although the leading athletes had been precisely instructed about the course beforehand. Of course, immediate action was taken at the relevant spot to prevent further involuntary turning actions towards the half marathon finish.
The organizers were particularly impressed by the renewed support and participation of the public along the route, as well as the musical encouragement from various groups. "My highlight was that the crowds stood everywhere from start to finish on both sides of the route," said Konrad. There is no final information regarding the number of spectators yet. However, it is known that each runner from the provinces or abroad brings an average of 1.9 companions to the federal capital.
With Eva Wutti (2:37:43) in eighth place and Andreas Vojta (2:15:01) in ninth, there was the rare result of the two best Austrians being in the top ten. For April 19, 2026, the new ÖLV record holder Aaron Gruen is an option, as is the half marathon winner Thomas Messner. The sextet that has completed the 41st VCM marathon and thus all previous races in full will certainly be counted on again. Special mention goes to the oldest marathoner from Sunday, Lower Austrian Felix Pauli, who celebrated his 85th birthday on Sunday.
(APA/Red)
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