Around 13,000 participants from 146 nationalities are taking part in this year’s largest Vienna City Marathon ever. The races are enjoying increasing popularity, especially among women. The half marathon (start at 9 a.m.) has a female share of 46 percent – down from ten percent two years ago. In the marathon (9 a.m.), with a female share of 26 percent, more than a quarter of the field is female for the first time. The “record race” for women is once again the Vienna 5K, the 5-km race on Saturday on the Ringstrasse. Here, women are in the majority at 52 percent.
Waltz record before marathon start
Johann Strauss will also be participating in the Vienna City Marathon in 2025. To celebrate the 200th birthday of the Waltz King, 200 marathon runners will start in specially designed jerseys. Before the start, there will be a waltz world record attempt. Today at 8:35 a.m., more than 1,966 dance couples are expected to twirl to the sounds of the Blue Danube Waltz at the Reichsbrücke. No posturing required—pure fun!
Speaking of which: Federal President Alexander van der Bellen also welcomed the Vienna City Marathon participants at the start with a video message: “The music of Johann Strauss stands for pure joy. That’s exactly what I wish you today. And if things get tough: Perhaps the three-quarter time will help you.”
1. #Believe in you
This motto will be printed on the Reichsbrücke bridge on Sunday morning using a special printer. The official final runners will also carry this motto on their flags. Their job is to motivate the participants at the back of the field and accompany them to the finish line.
2. Symphonic Vienna City Marathon Fanfare
For the first time, the fanfare composed especially for the Vienna City Marathon and performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra will be heard at the awards ceremony. Martin Rainer , clarinetist with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, is the composer of the piece.
3. Ultimate running party
More music, more atmosphere, more goosebumps! Over 50 music and entertainment points along the route provide a unique rhythm. From live bands to drummers to DJ sounds – there are musical highlights everywhere. There are also cheering zones featuring the Vienna Running Communities, among others. Singer Luna Miray performs “Run,” the Vienna City Marathon song, at the Powerade Medal Plaza at Rathausplatz .
4. Club of Honor
307 runners who have completed the full marathon distance at least ten times at the Vienna City Marathon make up the “Club of Honor.” 42 of them have even finished the marathon 25 times or more.
5. Finish Line
The LED finish gate in front of the Burgtheater is a real eye-catcher. At the finish line, pictures and personal congratulations from individual runners can be displayed. The event director can play a favorite song, and the emcee can welcome the runners with personal congratulations.
6. Old Stars
Felix Pauli from Lower Austria is the oldest registered participant in the marathon distance. He celebrates his 85th birthday on Marathon Sunday. Due to work in the basement of his house, which was damaged by the 2024 floods, his running training was somewhat curtailed. Pauli worked as a men’s tailor, radio operator, and sewer worker. He ran his first marathon at the age of 53, persuaded by friends. Ulrike Pithan from Germany, at 77, is the oldest woman to complete the 42.195-kilometer course.
7. All Stars
Alfred Biela, Bernhard Bruckner, Franz Gschiegl, Erwin Reichetzeder, Michael Reichetzeder and Gerhard Tomeczek have successfully finished all marathons since 1984 – and want to achieve this feat again this time.
8Growing Green
The proceeds from the “Run for a Tree” initiative at the Vienna City Marathon Saturday races were used to plant and design new green spaces in Vienna-Aspern and Vienna-Strebersdorf in 2023 and 2024. A portion of the entry fee from the Vienna 5K will be used for new tree plantings in Vienna in 2025.
9. Vienna wins
More participants mean a better atmosphere, a greater health impact, and also a greater impact on tourism. A 2018 study found that the VCM generated €25 million in tourism value added and 126,000 overnight stays in Vienna, and the trend is rising.
10. The Vienna City Marathon ends…
…not in front of the Burgtheater, but in the legendary U4 club. The completely sold-out after-race party will take place there.
