The 14th Borealis Linz Danube Marathon took place on Sunday under optimal weather conditions and developed into a "marathon of records". A total of more than 19,500 participants ensured an absolute record in the history of the Linz Marathon. And the athletes also set record-breaking times. Andrea Mayr set a new Austrian record in the half marathon, pulverizing her own best time. However, the course record of 2:07.33 hours, set since 2007 by the Ukrainian Alexander Kuzin, could not be broken. Kenyan Anthony Maritiem set a personal best in the marathon event in Linz with 2:09.39.
Kenyan Anthony Maritiem (personal best 2:10.26 Cologne Marathon, 2014) crosses the finish line in Linz after 2:09, 39, setting a new personal best. Maritiem is extremely satisfied: "I am very happy to have broken my personal best here. The conditions were optimal. The spectators cheered me on great and the atmosphere was unique". Second in the marathon competition was Kenyan Alfred Kering with a time of 2:11,55 followed by Abraham Birma Bekele (ETH) with 2:13,02. Fourth place went to Kenyan Mungai Samson with 2:13,53. Austrian national champion in the marathon was Austro-Kenyan Edwin Kemboi from LAC Klagenfurt in a time of 2:21,03.
Strong women's marathon field delivers great times
The women also delivered impressive times in the marathon event in Linz. First place went to Jebet Sarah from Kenya with 2:32.52, followed by Irene Chepkiruri, also from Kenya, with 2:35.30. Best Austrian was Karin Freitag with 2:42.32. Cornelia Köpper, who achieved her personal best in Linz in 2014 (2:44.16), improved it and finished in a time of 2:43.13.
International marathon champions deliver close race
The international marathon champions who started in Linz also delivered an exciting race. Swiss marathon champion Patrick Wieser finished 6th with a time of 2:17.21 and German champion Tobias Schreindl achieved 7th place with a time of 2:18.33. Slovenian marathon champion Martin Ocepek finished 23rd with a time of 2:38.30.
