The Vienna City Marathon will feature strong Kenyan contenders, including Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat, aiming to reclaim the title lost to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year. With nearly 13,000 entries and a total of over 45,000 athletes, this year’s race promises intense competition. Notable performances from previous marathons enhance expectations for a thrilling event.
The upcoming Vienna City Marathon is set to celebrate Johann Strauss’s 200th birthday with the Danube Waltz being played prior to the race start. This year, the competition promises thrilling excitement as no clear favorite emerges among the runners. The men’s elite contenders have been announced, featuring a strong Kenyan trio set to contend for the title on April 6.
The Kenyan athletes, Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat, head the elite men’s field with impressive personal bests ranging between 2:06 and 2:07. Additionally, two other entrants on the current roster have completed marathons in under 2:09. This edition of the Vienna City Marathon will mark the 42nd occurrence and is recognized as a World Athletics Elite Label Race, with nearly 13,000 entries expected and over 45,000 athletes participating in total.
After losing the title to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa in the previous year, there are high hopes for the Kenyan runners to reclaim the crown. The Kenyans previously achieved four consecutive victories, climaxing with Samwel Mailu’s record-breaking time of 2:05:08 in 2023. The selected trio has exhibited stellar performances in their recent marathons.
Justus Kangogo secured a time of 2:06:45, placing fourth in Amsterdam last October, building on his personal record established in Berlin with a time of 2:05:57. Douglas Chebii has demonstrated consistent performance over three years, recording his personal best of 2:06:31 in Linz in 2022, subsequently attaining 2:07:11 in Sevilla in 2023, and finishing seventh in the Dubai Marathon with a time of 2:08:15 this past year.
Stanley Kurgat, at 25, is the youngest and improved remarkably with a 2:07:05 in Berlin after debuting at 2:11:50 in Valencia. His familiarity with the Vienna course may enhance his chances, as he had served as a pacemaker at this event previously. Alongside them, Charles Ndiema and Benard Kimeli also stand out, both having recorded personal bests under 2:09, with Ndiema previously finishing fourth in Vienna in 2022.
Bernard Muia is another potential dark horse after placing second in the Vienna Marathon last year with 2:10:42 and achieving a personal best of 2:09:17 during his Munich Marathon win. The local field is led by Austrian record holder Peter Herzog, who aims for approximately a 2:12 finish, while former record holder Lemawork Ketema hopes for a strong return following an injury hiatus.
The Vienna City Marathon promises to deliver an exciting race this year, with a strong focus on the talented Kenyan athletes aiming to reclaim their title. Their impressive records and recent performances indicate a fierce competition ahead. The presence of established Kenyan contenders alongside promising newcomers enhances the anticipation for this prestigious marathon. Moreover, the celebration of Strauss’s legacy through classical music adds a unique cultural element to this significant athletic event.
Original Source: www.athletics.africa
