The Linz Marathon ups the tempo.
Preparations for the 16th edition on April 9, 2017 are already in full swing. Upper Austria's biggest running event undergoes a "facelift
123 days to go, then on April 9, 2017, the starting signal will be given on the Voestbrücke for the 16th Linz Marathon organized by LIVA and OÖN. Which will once again be a profitable affair, not only thanks to the new main sponsor Oberbank. Preparations have long been underway in the background for what Mayor Klaus Luger calls the "city festival:
Main sponsor
Already on board as a partner since 2003, Oberbank will now act as patron of the event for the first time. General Manager Franz Gasselsberger, himself a runner for years like many of his employees, knows the advantages of the course. "Linz is a fast course." He therefore wants more runners to go all out in the future. "Our wish is that more half-marathon starters tackle the classic marathon." Oberbank and LIVA are providing two running coaches free of charge for this venture in the form of Austria's former marathon aces Gerhard Hartmann and Günther Weidlinger. Together they will offer 17 training sessions in Linz. The starters will also receive sound tips at the opening event on February 2 in Linz's Oberbank, when former German world-class runner Thomas Wessinghage will give a talk.
Children's Marathon
The concept of the Kids' Run has been revised from the ground up. "The fun of movement must be in the foreground," says Wolfgang Lehner of LIVA. The ratings for the youngest age groups have been dropped, and accompanying persons are also no longer allowed to run. OÖGKK new main sponsor of the Junior Marathon! The OÖGKK - Forum Gesundheit has been supporting the Junior Marathon for years. In 2017, it is the main sponsor of the Junior Marathon for the first time. A healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise, is very important to OÖGKK. The foundation for this is laid in childhood. "For OÖGKK as a partner of the Junior Marathon, the focus is on fun and the joy of exercise - every child wins!" emphasizes OÖGKK Director Andrea Wesenauer. The routes were adapted to the age groups according to sports medical, scientific and psychological considerations. In 2017, accompanying persons are no longer allowed to run with the children!
Timing
The international marathon classics London, Chicago or Boston already trust in the company mika:timing. Now Linz is also a partner.
Route adaptations
20,150 entries were received for this year's edition - a new record. However, the focus is not only on quantity, but above all on quality. Which is why in 2017, for example, the finish line for the quarter marathon, the event with the largest number of participants, will be enlarged and extended. For this reason, nothing stands in the way of a holiday for running.
First top runner
With the times run so far, the Linz Marathon has no need to hide internationally. This year's winning time of the Kenyan Edwin Koech, who won in 2:09:06 hours, also serves as proof. In big classics like Boston and Chicago, Linz would have been the winner this year. A candidate for a top performance at the upcoming edition is Lemawork Ketema. The Ethiopian-born Austrian wants to reach the World Championship limit (2:15 hours) in Linz. Austria's marathon record holder Günther Weidlinger, now responsible for athlete recruitment in Linz, among other things, already has other top people on the hook thanks to his good contacts.
