The 2025 Vienna City Marathon features elite Kenyan runners Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat as top contenders aiming to reclaim the title lost to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa. The event, celebrating Johann Strauss, has a record participation and high expectations from national athletes. Bernard Muia poses a potential surprise amid the elite competitors.
The upcoming Vienna City Marathon in 2025 promises an exciting combination of culture and competition, marking Johann Strauss’ 200th birthday with the Danube Waltz played prior to the race. As the runners set off, the atmosphere will shift from serene to thrilling, with no standout favorites anticipated amongst the elite contenders.
Leading the men’s elite field on April 6th are three Kenyan athletes: Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat. These runners have personal best times of approximately 2:06 to 2:07, while two others on the start list have times below 2:09, increasing the competitive landscape significantly.
A record of nearly 13,000 participants has been registered for the marathon, which is a World Athletics Elite Label Race. Including other running events, the count exceeds 45,000, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both competitors and spectators alike.
Kenyan male runners are poised to reclaim the title lost to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year. Previously, Kenyan runners secured four consecutive victories in this event, highlighted by Samwel Mailu’s impressive record time of 2:05:08 in 2023.
The trio from Kenya has demonstrated strong performances in recent races. Justus Kangogo achieved a time of 2:06:45 in Amsterdam, while Douglas Chebii’s consistency was showcased in a 2022 PB of 2:06:31 in Linz, followed by 2:07:11 in Sevilla and 2:08:15 in Dubai. Stanley Kurgat, the youngest of the group at 25, broke his PB with 2:07:05 in Berlin after a solid debut.
Additionally, fellow Kenyans Charles Ndiema and Benard Kimeli each bring impressive times of sub-2:09. Ndiema placed fourth in Vienna in 2022 with a time of 2:08:12, while Kimeli finished in 2:08:34 at the Tokyo Marathon last year.
Bernard Muia, a surprising contender, was the runner-up last year at 2:10:42, making significant gains in the final kilometers. His personal best of 2:09:17 came when he won the Munich Marathon in 2023.
Austrian record holder Peter Herzog, who clocked 2:10:06 in the 2020 London Marathon, leads the national elite field, targeting a time around 2:12. Former record holder Lemawork Ketema, returning from injury, hopes for a strong performance following his 2:10:44 best.
The Vienna City Marathon is set to be a highly competitive event, showcasing elite Kenyan runners aiming to regain their title. With a record number of entrants and personal best performances, the race promises excitement and rivalry among the best in the sport.
Original Source: www.athletics.africa
