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Thousands of runners from around the world took over the streets of Vienna, which for one weekend transformed into a vibrant stage of sport and culture. The Vienna City Marathon, part of the European Marathon Classics, confirmed its status as one of Europe’s most distinctive running events.

From the early morning hours, it was clear this would be no ordinary race. At 9:00 sharp, participants set off through the heart of the Austrian capital – starting near the UN headquarters, crossing the Danube bridges, and running along the city’s grand avenues. The finish line on Ringstrasse drew large crowds of supporters, creating a loud and energetic atmosphere throughout the day.

A city as a course, a course as an experience

The Vienna race is more than a sporting competition. It is a dynamic journey through the city’s history and architecture. The route featured landmarks such as Vienna State Opera and Schönbrunn Palace, giving the event a unique, almost theatrical character.

Particular excitement was generated along the Prater section, where runners followed in the footsteps of Eliud Kipchoge, the site where he famously broke the two-hour marathon barrier. The flat course profile and wide roads supported fast racing, a fact fully embraced by both amateur participants and elite athletes invited by the organisers.

The elite competition delivered strong performances in both categories. In the women’s race, Tigist Gezahagn claimed victory in 2:20:06, setting a new course record and confirming the fast reputation of the Vienna course.

In the men’s race, the winner was Kenyan runner Fanny Kiprotich, who secured the title with a time of 2:06:53, finishing ahead of a competitive international field.

A marathon with a musical signature

This year’s edition brought together nearly 49,000 participants from over 150 countries, including almost 9,000 marathon runners. A clear trend emerged as well showing growing female participation and strong representation of younger age groups, particularly the 25–29 category.

Vienna once again proved its ability to seamlessly combine sport and culture. Along the route, 65 cheering zones created a festival-like atmosphere. The highlight was Saturday’s concert at the iconic Musikverein.

On one stage performed the Vienna Symphony Orchestra alongside runners, including Austrian marathon record holder Aaron Gruen. The programme featured works by Strauss, Schubert, Brahms, Suppé and Lehár, serving as a cultural prelude to race day.

Run Europe, Go Beyond Borders

The Vienna Marathon was the second stop in this year’s European Marathon Classics, which connects major races across the continent from Rome to Frankfurt. The project is rapidly gaining momentum, attracting thousands of participants and building a pan-European running community.

The weekend in Vienna demonstrated that a marathon can be far more than a sporting challenge. It is an event that connects people, cities and emotions, while strengthening Europe’s identity as a global hub for running at the highest level.