Winner of the Vienna Marathon 2025 is Haftamu Abadi

The 21-year-old Ethiopian ran only his second marathon and improved his personal best from 2:10:33 to 2:08:28 hours. Second place went to the Kenyan Mica Cheserek, and third to the Ethiopian debutant Mogos Tuemay.

Among the women, the Kenyan Betty Chepkemoi also won as an outsider in 2:24:14. It was also only her second marathon. Andreas Vojta finished in ninth place with 2:15:01, and Eva Wutti came eighth with 2:37:43.

Ethiopian Abadi won Vienna City Marathon 2025

The race started at nine in the morning at two degrees above zero (the record low is -0.1 in 1986), which felt like significant sub-zero temperatures due to the icy wind. Despite the temperature drop after warm days, the favored male elite did not shy away from setting off in shorts from the Reichsbrücke, while the best women at least opted for headbands and arm warmers.

21-Year-Old is the Youngest Winner in Vienna's History

Among the men, the Kenyans, who were considered podium contenders, formed a larger group with some Ethiopians as expected, which first broke apart after ten kilometers. Surprisingly, the Kenyan runners gradually couldn't keep up, leaving Ethiopians Abadi and Mogos Tuemay to battle briefly at the front, but Abadi soon pulled away. The 21-year-old ran only his second marathon and improved his personal best from 2:10:33 to 2:08:28 hours. Second place went to the Kenyan Mica Cheserek (2:10:23), and third to the Ethiopian debutant Tuemay (2:10:33).

Incidentally, Abadi did opt for headgear in the form of strikingly large earmuffs, long sleeves, and gloves. He is now the youngest winner in the history of the Vienna City Marathon. "It was very windy and cold. The time is not good, but I won and set a new personal best, so I am happy," said Abadi, who had actually aimed for a 2:05. "You can't do anything about the weather. It was a challenge." The top favorite Justus Kangogo finished seventh.

Blunder Cost Favorite Chepkirui the Victory

Even her sister-in-law Vibian Chepkirui, two-time Vienna winner and course record holder, did not have the best day. She made a mistake at the beginning, missed her water bottle, had to run back, and fight her way back to the leading group. A second time she fell back at kilometer 17, this time she couldn't catch up and dropped out before the half marathon.

By that point, the leading group had reduced to a trio, and from kilometer 36 it became a solo run by Chepkemoi. The 25-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on Thursday, won ahead of compatriots Rebbeca Tanui (2:25:18) and Catherine Cherotich (2:25:45). "It's my first time in Vienna, it's my second marathon. I didn't expect to win. It was very, very cold and windy," said Chepkemoi, wrapped in a thick winter jacket, in an interview at the finish line.

For Vojta, ninth place was acceptable given the external conditions. "Even if the time is not outstanding. But with the conditions all around, I can go home happy. I have to take away that I ran smart and am well placed in the field. Now I will get a bit of speed on the shorter distance and plan for the fall." Lemawork Ketema did not finish in his comeback after a thigh band operation. Wutti did not expect much because of the weather, "the joy over the time is all the greater."

Half Marathon Winner is Styrian Thomas Messner

Thomas Messner won the half marathon in 1:04:22 hours. "It was very windy and difficult conditions. But the temperatures were okay," said the Styrian, who also won the national championship title over 21.097 km a week ago.

Incidentally, some marathon runners took a wrong turn with the half marathon leaders and were sent back to the big loop shortly before the finish.

(APA/Red)

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