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VIENNA CITY MARATHON ON APRIL 19.
African favorites and hopes of a strong Austrian performance in Vienna
The Vienna City Marathon features a strong elite field and could make for an exciting race on April 19. While African athletes are favourites, the top women are aiming for the course record and there are hopes of national appearances in the men’s race. Okbe Kibrom of Eritrea and Haftamnesh Tesfaye of Ethiopia head the start lists for the 43rd Vienna City Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. Organizers have registered a record 49,000 entries, of which 13,000 will go over the classic distance.
If the weather conditions are right, the women are expected to chase down the course record and possibly break 2:20:00 for the first time on Austrian soil. Four years ago, Kenyan Vibian Chepkirui ran 2:20:59 in Vienna. Ethiopia’s Haftamnesh Tesfaye, sister of sensational 2:10:51 debutant Fautien Tesfaye, and Tigist Gezahagn are the fastest women with personal bests of 2:20:13 and 2:21:14 respectively. Last year’s reigning champion Betty Chepkemoy of Kenya ran a brilliant race, clocking a PB of 2:24:14 in very challenging conditions. If the weather turns cold again, that could work in Chepkemo’s favor. American runner Lindsay Flanagan is making her marathon comeback after injury. With a personal best of 2:23:31, he is the fourth runner on the start list with a sub 2:25 PB.
Four men run sub-seconds of 2:08:00. Eritrean Okbe Kibrom is the fastest runner on the starting list. With a PB of 2:05:37 he is the favourite. Kibrome will be challenged by Ethiopia’s Tafese Delegen (PB: 2:06:11) as well as Kenyans Stanley Kurgat and Albert Kangogo who have PBs of 2:07:05 and 2:07:26 respectively.
Four other runners have run under 2:10:00 so far. Among them is the Austrian record holder Aaron Gruen, who made a surprise a year ago when he set a national record with 2:09:53. The Austrian will be running the Vienna City Marathon for the first time and aims to further improve his record.
Elite runners with personal bests
A MAN.
Okbe Kibrom SPECIAL 2:05:37
Tafese Delegate ETH 2:06:11
Stanley Kurgat KEN 2:07:05
Albert Kangogo KEN 2:07:26
Charles Mneria KEN 2:08:54
Mica Cheserek KEN 2:09:26
Samuel Kiptoo KEN 2:09:45
Aaron Gruen AUT 2:09:53
Paul Tiongik KEN 2:10:25
Abel Scowo UGA 2:10:33
Mogos Tuemay ETH 2:10:33
Fani Kiprotich KEN 2:11:21
Andreas Vojta AUT 2:13:43
WOMEN.
Haftamnesh Tesfaye ETH 2:20:13
Tigist Gezahagn ETH 2:21:1
Lindsay Flanagan USA 2:23:31
Betty Chepkemoi KEN 2:24:14
Mary Granja ECU 2:26:34
Hellen Chepkorir KEN 2:27:17
Faith Chepkoech KEN 2:26:22
Tegest Ymer ET 2:29:11
Caroline Korir KEN 2:29:46
Abigail Jepkemboi KEN 2:29:56
Eva Wutti AUT 2:30:43
Aiwa Sakaguchi JPN 2:31:50
Hanne Maridal NOR 2:32:14
Vaida Zusinaite LTU 2:32:50
Susanna Saapunki FIN debut
For more information, please visit www.vienna-marathon.com or contact Andreas Mayer (press officer); (email protected)
