17,413 participants ensured a great atmosphere in Linz in fantastic weather.
The athletes delivered exciting races and top times in all competitions.
The Linz marathon stronghold, which also hosted the national marathon championships this year, was delighted with the participation of over 17,000 running enthusiasts and top times. In total, exactly 17,413 participants from 85 nations made the 22nd Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon a running festival for all sports enthusiasts in running temperatures of around 22°.
Unfortunately, the declared goal of breaking the men's course record from 2022 (2:06:13) set by Fikre Bekele (ETH) could not be achieved due to the high temperatures. The 31-year-old top athlete Goitom Kifle Andebrhan from Eritrea nevertheless delivered a top performance in the marathon competition with a winning time of 2:08:15.
In the women's race, the Kenyan Rebecah Jeruto Cherop (33) , who came third in 2023, excelled with a top time of 2:33:05 to take first place in 2024.
Temperatures of around 22° and plenty of sunshine made for challenging running conditions at the 22nd Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon in the Upper Austrian capital. provincial capital. 17,413 running enthusiasts from 85 nations did not let themselves be deterred from their joy of running and took to the starting line. Compared to the previous year, there were 57 percent more participants in the running events. The majority came from Upper Austria and the Austrian provinces. The largest number of guests from abroad came from Germany, with more than 450 athletes. This was followed by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy in the participation ranking.
Supported by "Lauffeuer LIMA", the Linz marathon mascot and numerous spectators, the starting shots for a total of seven competitions were fired on the Voest highway bridge in Linz between 8:00 and 9:30 am. The Generali 5K over a distance of exactly 5,000 meters was a new addition to the competition. It is intended to improve the "run-fun balance", lower the inhibition threshold for participating in a running competition and, with this additional seventh running competition, develop Linz into a "multi-distance event". With the variety of different distances, Linz can appeal to so many people who are hungry for exercise.
In addition to the many top performances in the competitions, the 22nd Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon was once again a great sporting festival that gave amateur running enthusiasts the opportunity to connect with top world-class athletes. This provided unique moments and emotions for all participants. "As a runner in the Generali 5K race, I was able to see this for myself. Overall, the Linz Marathon has become a celebration for the whole city and it is impossible 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," said Linz's Deputy Mayor Karin Hörzing.
The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon once again inspired people this year. Not only the runners performed at their best in the summer temperatures, but also the spectators along the route. "The atmosphere was simply great in the glorious weather," said Wolfgang Scheibner, LIVA marathon coordinator. The right mix is what makes Linz so successful and brings the crowds to the city. Linz is uncomplicated and service-oriented, which is what makes it so popular with athletes.
The Mayor of Linz, Klaus Luger, who was able to experience the unique atmosphere on the running course up close: "The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon is a running and city festival at the same time. It combines top performance with popular sport and ensures that Linz can rightly call itself a city of sport!"
Race director Günther Weidlinger: "Despite the very warm temperatures, I am very happy today. With such a top elite field in the men's and women's races, the successful national championships and top times in the marathon elite field, all the wishes of a race director have come true. A big thank you to the whole team!"
Satisfied, relaxed faces after the race also on the organizing team: LIVA proxy Wolfgang Scheibner says: "The work of our small team has once again highlighted the high level of professionalism today. Despite the hot summer temperatures, Linz once again posted top winning times this year. But the winning time alone was not the decisive factor. It was important that we were able to offer all running enthusiasts a great experience. We want to continue to be an event for the masses and impress with our high quality. I am confident that the work with our young, powerful group can be continued successfully in the coming years."
The new Commercial Director of LIVA, René Esterbauer, also agrees: "The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon offers a wide range of activities for children, young people and adult running enthusiasts of all abilities, creating an unforgettable experience for the entire running community. My thanks go to our team for the outstanding preparation."
The date for the 23rd Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon has already been set for Sunday, April 13, 2025 .
