Kenyan double victory with women's course record.
Kenyan Brenda Cherotich Kiprono wins the 19th Linz Marathon in a new course record time. The 24-year-old triumphed in her debut over the 42.195 kilometers in 2:30:27 hours. The men's race was won by her 37-year-old compatriot Ezekiel Koech Kiprop in 2:09:43 hours.
The comeback of the Linz Marathon after a two and a half year break brings a women's record. The Kenyan Brenda Jerotich Kiprono narrowly beat Lisa-Christina Stublic's course record from 2011 (2:30:45) in a time of 2:30:27. In the men's race, Ezekiel Kiprop Koech from Kenya won in autumnal and sunny conditions in a time of 2:09:43 and won for the second time in Linz after 2016 (2:09:07).
The marathon stronghold Linz reports back with an impressive course record in the women's race and autumn-sunny running conditions, as well as thousands of spectators along the course. In the women's race, Kenya's Brenda Jerotich Kiprono won on her Linz debut, setting a new course record of 2:30:27 (the last time was Lisa-Christina Stublic's 2:30:45 in 2011). Ezekiel Kiprop Koech from Kenya won the marathon event in Linz for the second time after 2016. This time in a time of 2:09:43. 8,408 participants from almost 60 nations made the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon at temperatures around 7° a community running festival for all sports enthusiasts after the corona-related cancellation in 2020.
Pictures of the 19th Oberbank Linz Marathon 2021
After an involuntary break of two and a half years, there was a decline in the overall starting field compared to the last edition of the Linz Marathon in the "pre-Corona era", but in comparison to other running events, with exactly 8,408 participants, a quite acceptable participation result. In addition, there was something new in 2021. For the first time, and probably also for the first time, the event was held in the cooler half of the year, and the expanded voest freeway bridge also provided fresh perspectives at the spectacular start. "In terms of organization and budget, the situation was challenging, but the most important thing is that the race was run," says head of organization Günther Weidlinger. Main sponsor Oberbank also made it possible to sign up some elite runners, who once again ensured top times in Linz.
Sunshine and temperatures around 7° provided optimal conditions at the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon Sunday morning in the Upper Austrian capital. Exactly 8,408 running enthusiasts from nearly 60 nations took to the starting line and made Linz the center of running again after the corona-related cancellation in 2020. Supported by the running fire "LiMa", the Linz Marathon mascot, and numerous spectators, the starting shots for a total of 6 events were fired on the Linz Voest freeway bridge between 8:00 and 9:30 am.
"I am very pleased that after a year of cancellations we were able to have a passable turnout for the marathon distance this year," said race director Günther Weidlinger. Kenyan Ezekiel Kiprop Koech crossed the finish line at Linz's main square first for the second time after 2016 in 2:09:43. Winner Koech: "It was optimal running conditions. I am very happy with my performance in Linz. It was optimal preparation and perfect support. I am very happy about my second victory here. The crowd was just great". His opponent Masresha Bere Bisetegn from Ethiopia (2:11:00) was not able to stop Koech and finished second. Third place went to Jonathan Yego Kiptoo from Kenya with 2:13:22. Best Austrian in 6th place was Manfred Steger (2:29:259).
The 2021 marathon winner is Brenda Jerotich Kiprono from Kenya. She proved her strength in an impressive time of 2:30:27 and took an impressive victory with her debut run in Linz. Kiprono also set a new course record. The last time this was achieved was in 2011 by Croatia's Lisa-Christina Stublic in 2:30:45. "With Kiprono's victory, a new era begins today in the women's race. In previous years, the focus in Linz was mainly on the men's race in the elite field. This time we have put the focus especially on the women. After all, women's power has been in evidence in Linz for quite some time," says race director Günther Weidlinger, who was able to line up a high-ranking elite field thanks to main sponsor Oberbank. "The Oberbank 'Frau läuft' campaign has been very popular for years. We can also see that in black and white from the starter numbers," said Weidlinger, pleased with a great winning time in the women's race. The best Austrian was Teresa Feit from DSG Vienna. She finished sixth with a time of 2:54:45.
A quite exciting race was delivered by three athletes from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Elias Gemperli (SUI) 2:23:14 won in front of Tobias Gröbl (GER) 2:24:04 and Georg Schrank (AUT).
First place in the race over the half marathon distance of 21.097 kilometers went to the Kenyan Isaac Toroitich Kosgei in a time of 1:07:13, clearly winning ahead of the Austrian Andreas Stöckl from Leogang, who finished in 1:09:57. Kosgei about his victory: "My level was perfect, the conditions were optimal, I am very satisfied. Especially the last 1000 meters were a blast, the crowd was a hit." Third place went to Lukas Gärtner from Köflach with a time of 1:11:02. Best lady was German Verena Cerna with 1:20:11, followed by Canadian Natalie Thompson (1:26:55). Third place went to Verena Jax from Linz (1:28:18).
Kerstin Springer finished first in a time of 38:33, ahead of Bernadette Schuster, who ran 38:42 to finish second again after 2020. "I'm really happy that I could still do a super finish sprint. I am very happy with my time," said Kerstin Springer about her Linz victory. Third place went to Pia-Maria Thoma from Irdning with 40:12. The men's race was won by Austrian Christian Guttenbrunner (35:36), ahead of German Dominic Arnold (35:38) and Austrian Gerald Lahmer (35:41).
In the half marathon of the handbikers Florian Brungraber won in the time of 31:39, second place went to Gerhard Hochmayr with 39:06 followed by Helmut Jost with 39:08. Extraordinary also the performance in the women's race. Here the victory went to Conny Wibmer in 43:17 ahead of Elisabeth Egger who finished with 52:28.
Born in 2013, the two youngest participants Leo Manahl and Daniel Kenanu ran the quarter marathon on Sunday, Gottfried Hoser, born in 1939 the oldest participant in the quarter marathon and Walter Untersteiner, born in 1948 the oldest participant in the marathon competition. Impressive was the participation of Heinrich Pilch, Wolfgang Tronegger, Heinz Jagemann, Ewald Eder, Klaus Nöckler and Alois Grillneder. They started as Super Golden Runners and have already run all 18 previous Linz Marathons over the full distance. One Super Golden Runner in particular stood out: Herbert Orlinger has already finished almost 200 marathons in his running life! The sponsors were also at the start: the title sponsor Oberbank was represented by its CEO Dr. Franz Gasselsberger, who took part in the half marathon. For the half marathon sponsor Borealis, the Managing Director of Borealis Agrolinz Melamine, Dr. Jürgen Mader, also took part in the half marathon.
Apart from the many best performances in the events, the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon once again inspired as a great sports festival, providing the opportunity to connect hobby running enthusiasts with top world-class athletes. This provided unique moments and emotions for all participants. "As the starting runner in the relay, I was able to see this for myself. All in all, the Linz Marathon has become a celebration for the entire city and it's hard to imagine Linz without it. My thanks go to all the helpers who took care of the safety, physical and sporting well-being of the runners, as well as security," says Karin Hörzing, the deputy mayor responsible for sports.
The Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon had once again thrilled people this year. Not only the runners gave top performances, but also the spectators along the course. "The atmosphere was great again despite the autumnal temperatures and the strict Covid-19 prevention concept," said LIVA's commercial director Rainer Stadler. The right mix is what makes Linz successful and brings the crowds to the city. Linz is uncomplicated and service-oriented, and that's what makes Linz so popular with athletes.
Linz's mayor Klaus Luger, who cheered on the runners up close as a spectator on the front line: "A challenging year lies behind us. The cancellation of the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon last year was a bitter loss for the entire running community. All the greater now is the joy of being able to enjoy the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon together with many running enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it was not possible for me to run personally this year. But I was eagerly represented by family members. One of my sons ran in the marathon event, another in the half marathon and my daughter in the relay as a start runner. It's wonderful to welcome so many enthusiastic runners to Linz on such a beautiful autumn day like this one." Race director Günther Weidlinger: "I'm really very pleased today. After a break of two and a half years, the challenge was to deliver a good race. We succeeded with a new course record. In addition, we had optimal running conditions except for some wind. Even a better time would have been possible. But I am happy all around that everything went so safely and smoothly. A big thank you to the entire team!"
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To the pictures (c) Klaus Mitterhauser
