Kenyans Set Sights on Reclaiming Vienna Marathon Title in 2025

The Vienna City Marathon, celebrating Johann Strauss’ 200th birthday, features a strong Kenyan elite field including Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat. With nearly 13,000 entries and a total of over 45,000 athletes, the event is set for stiff competition. Kenyans are determined to reclaim the title after losing to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year. Peter Herzog leads the Austrian elite field aiming for a strong performance.

The upcoming Vienna City Marathon is set to coincide with a special tribute to Johann Strauss, celebrating his 200th birthday with the iconic Danube Waltz performed before the race. While the atmosphere promises to be joyous, the competition among the runners is expected to be intense, with no clear favorite emerging in the elite field.

Leading the men’s competition are three Kenyan athletes: Justus Kangogo, Douglas Chebii, and Stanley Kurgat. They will compete on April 6, with personal best times ranging from 2:06 to 2:07. Two additional athletes on the start list have also recorded times under 2:09, enhancing the race’s competitive spirit.

This year’s marathon has attracted a record participation of close to 13,000 entries for its 42nd edition, which is recognized as a World Athletics Elite Label Race. Including shorter distance events, the total number of participants exceeds 45,000, indicating significant interest in this prestigious event.

After losing the title to Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa last year, Kenya is poised to reclaim the Vienna City Marathon crown. Previously, Kenyans dominated the event, achieving four consecutive victories, with Samwel Mailu setting a course record of 2:05:08 in 2023.

The trio of Kenyan contenders have all demonstrated solid recent performances. Justus Kangogo recorded a time of 2:06:45 in Amsterdam and achieved a personal best of 2:05:57 in Berlin the previous year. Douglas Chebii has shown remarkable consistency, with a personal best of 2:06:31 in Linz in 2022 and a solid performance of 2:07:11 in Sevilla this year. He was also the fastest Kenyan in the Dubai Marathon with a time of 2:08:15.

Youngest among them, Stanley Kurgat, who is only 25 years old, recently achieved a personal best of 2:07:05 in Berlin. Although he finished in 15th place there, his previous experience as a pacemaker in Vienna could play to his advantage as he seeks his first major win.

Additionally, fellow Kenyans Charles Ndiema and Benard Kimeli, both with personal bests under 2:09, are also in contention. Ndiema previously finished fourth in Vienna in 2022, clocking 2:08:12, while Kimeli had a time of 2:08:34 in the Tokyo Marathon last year.

A potential dark horse is Bernard Muia, who finished second in Vienna last year with a time of 2:10:42. He notably closed the gap significantly during the final two kilometers of that race. Muia also achieved a personal best of 2:09:17 during his victory at the Munich Marathon in 2023.

Leading the Austrian elite field is Peter Herzog, the national record holder, whose goal is to finish around 2:12. Former record holder Lemawork Ketema is also set to return to competition after an injury hiatus, with a personal best of 2:10:44.

The Vienna City Marathon is rapidly approaching with high expectations for a fiercely competitive atmosphere among the elite runners, particularly the favored Kenyan athletes. With a record number of entries and a rich cultural backdrop, the event promises to be a highlight in the marathon calendar. As the Kenyans aim to reclaim their title, the outcomes will depend on various factors including individual performances and the tactical execution of the race.

Original Source: www.athletics.africa