Vienna City Marathon Sees Record Registrations but Higher Dropout Rate

The elite races delivered standout performances, with Kenya’s Fanny Kiprotich winning the men’s marathon in 2:06:53, while Ethiopia’s Tigist Gezahagn set a new women’s course record of 2:20:06. Gezahagn’s time edged closer to breaking the 2:20 barrier, a goal organizers hope to achieve as early as next year.

Among local athletes, 21-year-old Aaron Gruen won the half-marathon in 62:58, despite describing his debut as "missglückten" (unsuccessful). Gruen vowed to return, saying, "Ich werde keine Ruhe geben, bis der Marathon da ist, mit dem ich zufrieden bin." Vojta, too, remains determined to achieve his dream of a perfect marathon.

Organizers aim to build on the event’s growing popularity, particularly among younger runners aged 25–29. "Wir wollen die Marathondistanz stärken und noch mehr Menschen dazu bringen, Sport zu machen und aktiv zu sein," said Kathrin Widu, co-managing director of the Vienna City Marathon. Plans are already underway to expand the 2027 edition, with a focus on attracting more women participants—currently underrepresented in the marathon at less than 30%, though the half-marathon saw a 47% female participation rate.

Looking Ahead

The Vienna City Marathon solidified its position as Austria’s second-largest marathon, with over 3,000 registrants for the 42.195-kilometer race in its premiere year. Despite the higher dropout rate, the event’s record turnout signals strong interest in long-distance running.

With elite athletes targeting the men’s course record of 2:05:08, set in 2023, and continued efforts to boost female participation, the marathon’s future appears bright. As Widu emphasized, the goal remains to inspire broader engagement in sports and active lifestyles, ensuring the event’s growth for years to come.