Young European and African marathon elite promises another record chase over the full distance and high voltage until the finish line in 2023!
Last fall, the men were able to beat the previous course record for the supreme discipline of 42.195 kilometers six times, thus heralding a new era in the marathon stronghold of Upper Austria. In time for the comeback of the competition to its traditional place in the spring, the women's record is now also to be broken in 2023. But the men will also be a force to be reckoned with once again.
The women's record of 2:30:27 - set by the Kenyan Brenda Jerotich Kiprono in 2021 - is the focus of attention. Günther Weidlinger from the Linz Marathon office of LIVA is currently working together with the renowned Berlin athlete manager Christoph Kopp on a top-class squad of young, international talents especially for the elite field of female participants. But the current top mark of 2:06:13 in the men's race, set last year by Brenda's compatriot Fikre Bekele, should not be completely unattainable. Highly exciting competitions until the finish line are guaranteed!
The entire final elite field will be presented at the traditional press conference on April 12 in Linz, but with Domenika Mayer from LG Regensburg (PB 2:26:50) and Simon Boch from Baden-Württemberg (PB 2:10:48) two fixed contenders for the victories can already be named.
Domenika Mayer | *9.10.1990, Regensburg, Germany
The first start on the marathon distance on April 3, 2022 was meant as a spontaneous excursion for Domenika Mayer and ended with a dream debut - crowned with the overall victory of the Hanover Marathon and the German championship title, the mother of two ran the standards for the World and European Championships in 2:26:50 hours and one of the fastest ever women's marathon debuts in the Federal Republic. The 32-year-old from Regensburg is thus also currently the fastest German marathon runner and occupies 13th place in the 2022 European best list. She finished the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich in 6th place. Other personal bests: 10 kilometer 32:22 (Berlin 2022), half marathon 1:09.52 (Dresden 2021).
"It will be my 3rd marathon overall. After health problems in the fall, my form has come back in time, which I could also underpin by winning the Citylauf in Dresden. Clear goal is a new personal best and thus also the achievement of the Olympic standard."(Domenika Mayer)
Simon Boch | * 18.4.1994, Donaueschingen, Germany
Simon showed his running ability already at the age of 16 as the youngest participant in the European Cross Country Championships for U20. His athletic breakthrough came in 2017 when he won the title at the German Championships over 10,000 m in Bautzen. In the same year, further best times over 1500 m and over 5000 m followed. In 2019, the Black Forest native attracted attention with two bronze medals at the German Championships in the half marathon and over 10,000 m, which earned him direct qualification for the European Cup over this distance in London. At the 21st Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon, he could give himself a birthday present with another improvement over the full distance (PB 2:10:48 set in Dresden in 2021): Simon Boch turns 29 on April 18. Other personal bests: 10 kilometer 28:01 (Berlin 2021), half marathon 1:01:23 (Barcelona 2023).
"I am really looking forward to the first marathon this year! After my half marathon in Barcelona in February with 8th place, I am convinced to be in a good shape. I am looking forward to a fast course and many enthusiastic spectators in Linz" (Simon Boch).
Oberbank CEO Dr. Franz Gasselsberger is already looking forward to the race. "Two years in a row we experienced new course records at the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon. After the women's course record in 2021 and the phenomenal men's record last year, it's the women's turn again this year. I am happy that Oberbank can play a part in making this happen and wish the ladies, but of course the men as well, a great and fast race. "
"At the 21st Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon, we especially want to offer the ladies a great race, but we also have fast runners in the men's race at the start. I am especially happy that we can help our neighbors from Germany in their hunt for fast times. Domenika Mayer and Simon Boch are both fighting for personal bests and Olympic limits in Linz!", says Günther Weidlinger.
Photo: Norbert Wilhelmi
Domenika Mayer tackles the women's marathon course record.
