Victory for Kenyan duo Cheruiyot and Chepngeno
Exactly 21,401 athletes turned Linz into a completely sold-out running metropolis on the marathon weekend. Julia Mayer opened her Olympic mission towards Los Angeles 2028 in Linz with a national championship title, and there were also two new Linz records in the five-kilometer road race.
Linz was under the spell of running on Sunday. 21,401 participants made for a moving, completely sold-out sports festival. With perfect weather conditions, a rousing atmosphere and top-class races, the provincial capital was transformed into a pulsating running metropolis. The 24th Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon offered powerful images, thrilling decisions and an audience that transformed the entire course into a huge stage for sport.
World class on the fast Linz course
The 24th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most distinctive spring running events. In front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators along the course, Kenyan runner Abdednego Cheruiyot, who finished third last year, won the men's race in 2:08:53 hours. "I thank Linz for the second chance, I really love this course," said Cheruiyot shortly after crossing the finish line. The women's race was also won by a Kenyan. Jackline Chepngeno won in a time of 2:26:01. Chepngeno: "I didn't expect to win because I felt really tired in between". Running showed its most impressive side on the fast Linz course, which also hosted the Austrian national championships in 2026.
Julia Mayer opened the Olympic project
The start of Austria's record holder Julia Mayer attracted particular interest. The 22-time national champion, participant in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 and Austrian record holder in the marathon with 2:26:08 hours and in the half marathon used Linz as the official kick-off for her "Mission Los Angeles 2028" project. Her appearance gave the women's competition additional national appeal and once again turned Linz into the big stage for local running. Mayer finished third in a time of 2:29:48.
State championship titles awarded in Linz
Linz was also the scene of strong performances in the battle for the Austrian state championship titles. Mario Bauernfeind won the men's national title in an impressive 2:19:41, while Julia Mayer triumphed in the women's race. The combination of an international elite field, national title fights and thousands of amateur athletes once again gave the marathon its special signature: top-class sport at a high level, supported by a broad movement from the middle of society.
Generali 5K: Linz men's and women's records set
Sunday also offered sporting highlights away from the marathon. The women's Generali 5K attracted a lot of attention. Linda Meier, a German U20 World Championship and European Championship participant, came to Linz with a personal best time of 16:27 minutes. This also brought Linz's existing best time of 16:33 minutes into focus. And Meier confirmed her high expectations with a time of 16:26 in first place. Austrian Kevin Kamenschak triumphed in the men's race with an impressive 14:32 minutes, making him the new course record holder in the five-kilometer road race in Linz. This means that there are now two new Linz course records in the 5K competition.
"This Linz Marathon was a very special day for me in more ways than one. Ten years of Oberbank as our main sponsor, the extension of our partnership for another five years, my birthday and my last start as an active CEO. What has been created here in Linz is far more than just a sporting event. It is a strong symbol of reliability, movement, joie de vivre and a partnership that we look back on with pride." (Dr. Franz Gasselsberger, CEO of Oberbank)
