The Vienna City Marathon in 2025 will celebrate Johann Strauss’ 200th birthday with his music. The Kenyan elite field, including Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat, is poised to contest fiercely for victory. A record number of participants highlights the event’s growing prominence, with aspirations for a Kenyan comeback after losing the title last year.
The upcoming Vienna City Marathon, set for April 6, 2025, will notably celebrate the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss with his iconic Danube Waltz, played before the commencement of the race. Despite the musical elegance, the competition among the runners is anticipated to be fierce, having no clear favorite this year.
The elite men’s field predominantly features a strong Kenyan contingent consisting of Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat, all possessing impressive personal best times ranging between 2:06 to 2:07. Additionally, there are two other runners in the start list who have clocked times under 2:09.
This year marks a record entry with nearly 13,000 participants, part of the 42nd Vienna City Marathon, recognized as a World Athletics Elite Label Race. Including shorter distance events, the total athlete count will exceed 45,000 participants, spotlighting the event’s growing popularity.
Kenyan runners seek to reclaim the Vienna City Marathon title after losing it to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year. Prior to that, Kenyan athletes dominated the event, securing four consecutive victories, with Samwel Mailu setting a remarkable course record of 2:05:08 in 2023.
Each member of the Kenyan trio has displayed notable performances in recent marathons. Justus Kangogo achieved a time of 2:06:45, finishing fourth in Amsterdam, while Douglas Chebii has consistently performed well with a personal best of 2:06:31 in Linz, 2022. Stanley Kurgat, the youngest at 25, recorded a personal best of 2:07:05 in Berlin and previously served as a pacemaker in Vienna, giving him familiarity with the course.
Additionally, fellow Kenyans Charles Ndiema and Benard Kimeli are also competing, both having personal bests under 2:09. Ndiema previously finished fourth in Vienna with a time of 2:08:12, while Kimeli clocked 2:08:34 in Tokyo last year. Furthermore, Bernard Muia, who was the runner-up in Vienna last year, is expected to be a surprise contender after winning the Munich Marathon in 2023 with a personal best of 2:09:17.
Austrian record holder Peter Herzog, who recorded 2:10:06 at the 2020 London Marathon, will lead the national elite field, aiming for a time around 2:12. Additionally, former record holder Lemawork Ketema, with a best of 2:10:44, is hoping for a successful return after recovering from an injury.
The 2025 Vienna City Marathon will showcase elite Kenyan runners vying to reclaim the title lost last year, amidst an unprecedented level of participation. With formidable times and determined competitors, the event promises to deliver thrilling performances and intense competition, while also celebrating Austria’s rich musical heritage. Kenyans hold strong potential to dominate, alongside promising local talents eager to make their mark.
Original Source: www.athletics.africa
