Marathon of records in dream weather.
The 15th Borealis Linz Danube Marathon took place on Sunday under optimal weather conditions and became the "Marathon of Records". For the first time in the fifteen-year history of the Linz Marathon, an absolute record number of participants was achieved with 20,150 runners. The athletes also set impressive times. However, the course record of 2:07.33 hours set since 2007 by the Ukrainian Alexander Kuzin could not be broken. In Linz, Kenyan Edwin Koech set the third-best time run in the marathon competition in the last fifteen years with 2:09.6. Kenyan Edwin Koech (personal best 2:09.4 Ljubljana, Slovenia 2014) crosses the finish line in Linz after 2:09.6, setting the third best marathon time run in Linz in the last fifteen years. Koech ran alone in front of the rest of the field from kilometer 25, and in addition the warm temperatures and wind caused the Kenyan some problems: "I am nevertheless very happy to have achieved the third-best time here in recent years. The atmosphere and the cheers of the spectators were unique," said Koech. Second in the marathon competition was Kenyan Duncan Koech with a time of 2:11,18 followed by Felix Kimutai with 2:12,28. Fastest Austrian and at the same time fastest European and therefore on 5th place was Robert Gruber in a time of 2:28,21.
Ethiopian Hassen lonely top in the women's race
The Ethiopian Beriso Halima Hassen finished first in the marathon competition in spite of problems in her thigh in a time of 2:38:13. Second was the Croatian Jasmina Ilijas, 2:54,5 followed by the Czech Lucie Klimesova, 3:09,44 who finished third.
Andrea Mayer cancels participation
in half marathon due to illness
"Austria's fastest doctor" the top runner and Upper Austrian Andrea Mayr had to cancel her start in the half marathon due to illness. In 2015, Mayer was able to confirm her excellent performance in Linz with a top time of 1:11.34 and 3rd place overall. Mayer thus pulverized her own best time (1:12:40) in the previous year, setting a new Austrian record, and wanted to compete again in 2016, which she unfortunately had to cancel.
Austrian Christian Haas in 3rd place in the half marathon
First place in the half marathon went to Kenyan Isaac Kosgei, 1:07:39 ahead of his compatriot Hassan Mohamad Abdirizak (1:08.37). Third place went to Austrian Christian Haas in an impressive time of 1:10.40. "Unfortunately it was not enough to break my best time of 1:10.19. Nevertheless, I am very satisfied, the conditions were optimal," said Haas. Best lady was Tereza Chluova from Czech Republic with 1:25,23 followed by Monica Carl, Germany 1:25,39. The best Austrian finished third. Stephanie Binder, born in 1991 ran to third place on the podium in the Oberbank Half Marathon in 1:26.36.
Anita Baierl wins the LINZ AG quarter marathon
Anita Baierl, an Upper Austrian with a successful running history, competed in the Linz AG Quarter Marathon. Baierl is among the national leaders over 5,000 and 10,000 meters and holds several state championship titles in cross-country running. In the quarter marathon event, Baierl finished 1st overall with a time of 37:10. "It was again a unique experience for me, I am happy to be able to pull off such a good performance. My goal is to run my first marathon in early May," Baierl said. Second place went to Anna Celinska, Poland in 38:43 followed by Katharina Kreundl, Austria in 39:44. There was a close race in the men's Linz AG Quarter Marathon. First place was run by Tomasz Szymanski, Poland 35:37 followed by Oliver Kreindl, Austria 35:45 and Manfred Steger, Austria 35:50.
Mayor of Linz at the start of the relay race
Klaus Luger, the mayor of Linz, also took part in the Linz Marathon as a runner. As a starting runner in the relay event, he was able to deliver a passable time. "This is an absolutely great celebration for the city. You are literally carried by a wave of enthusiasm," said Luger who visibly enjoyed his run. "The city is 100% behind this marathon and thanks all the "enablers", the media partners and of course sponsors to implement such an event and create such a great atmosphere. This is a celebration for the whole city," Luger continued.
Spread out starter field and new additional target hub guaranteed optimal conditions for runners
For the fifth time, the spread-out starting times in Linz proved to be a perfect measure. The quarter marathon started one hour before the other races. In addition, the finish line was moved from Pfarrplatz to the Lentos Museum for the large mass of quarter marathon runners. "With this measure we were able to ensure optimal service conditions for all runners also after the race. Especially at the start and in the finish area it was important for us to separate the masses in order to disentangle them and to create better conditions", LIVA Marathon coordinator Wolfgang Lehner is satisfied with the organization. "The fact that we achieved a new record for the first time in 15 years with 20,150 participants and over 130,000 spectators shows how much Linz has established itself in the international running calendar. We are very pleased with this new record number of participants, which is an incentive for us to continue improving the high quality of the Linz Marathon," said LIVA Board Director Thomas Ziegler.
Absolute record number of participants and thousands of spectators in fantastic running weather
20,150 participants in the individual running events of the 15th Borealis Linz Marathon are a new record for the anniversary. More than 130,000 spectators cheered on the athletes along the course in perfect weather conditions. In total, athletes from more than 140 different nations took to the starting line at the Linz Marathon. The first starters of the quarter marathon at 8:30 a.m., went into the running competition at a pleasant 14 degrees. Optimal weather conditions with moderate easterly winds ensured pure running pleasure. The mass of runners, the marathon, half and relay competition went to the start at 9 degrees and sun. The daily highs rose between 22 and 23 degrees. The wind and the temperatures caused problems especially for the elite field. Not only the athletes needed a lot of patience, but also the helpers and logisticians around the Linz Marathon. Five tons of bananas, 18,000 crispy marathon cookies and 30,000 bottles of isotonic drinks were handed out at eleven refreshment stations. 140 police officers, 200 Red Cross paramedics and around 200 volunteer stewards ensured that everything ran smoothly at the Borealis Linz Danube Marathon.
The previous winners
- 2002 John Kiproni from Kenya
- 2003 Joseph Mereng from Kenya
- 2004 John Kiprono rejoiced for the second time
- 2005 the winner was Ernest Kipyego from Kenya
- 2006 Benjamin Itok also from the East African state Kenya
- In 2007, the only victory so far was by a European. The Ukrainian Alexander Kuzin won in the still valid record time of 2:07:33.
- In 2008 Elisa Kiptum Maindi won for the first time.
- 2009 the Kenyan Elisa Kiptum Maindi won a second time
- 2010 Jason Mbote from Kenya was unbeatable
- 2011 Nixon Kipkoech Machichim from Kenya
- 2012 Josephat Keiyo from Kenya secured the victory
- 2013 Robert Kwambai from Kenya was unbeatable
- 2014 Kenyan Laban Mutai wins with the second fastest time ever run in Linz 2:08:03
- 2015 Kenyan Anthony Maritiem wins with 2:09:39
- 2016 Kenyan Edwin Koech takes first place with 2:09.6, the third fastest time ever run in Linz.
Photos: Klaus Mitterhauser, free of charge, copyright requested
Picture 1: From left with the marathon winner 2016: LIVA VD Thomas Ziegler, Mayor Klaus Luger, marathon winner Edwin Koch (KEN), LIVA Marathon Coordinator Wolfgang Lehner, LIVA Marathon Organizer Ewald Tröbinger.
