New record-holder at the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon

The reason is the retrospective disqualification of the Kenyan athlete Gladys Jerop Kimaina, who had initially crossed the finish line as the winner of the 2025 Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon with a time of 2:24:58. The organisers were informed in early September 2026 that Kimaina had now been suspended for two years by the relevant Kenyan anti-doping agency following a doping offence. As a result of this decision, her 2025 result in Linz has been annulled.

This casts Jackline Chepngeno’s performance in April 2026 in a completely new light. The Kenyan won the Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon in 2:26:01 and is now the new course record holder on the fast Linz marathon route. The winner in 2025 was the Kenyan Real Cherop Boiyo with a time of 2:29:15.

The Linz Marathon Organisation would like to offer belated congratulations to Rael Cherop Boiyo on her victory and, in particular, to Jackline Chepngeno on her new course record. Her performance at this year’s Linz Danube Marathon was outstanding and she now takes her rightful place in our list of records.

A firm commitment to clean sport

This case also confirms the importance of consistent cooperation with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Ensuring that breaches are identified, investigated and ultimately sanctioned is an essential part of credible elite sport.

“Even though a considerable amount of time has passed between the race and the final notification from Anti-Doping Kenya regarding the proceedings, it is crucial for us that the control mechanisms work and that consequences are drawn. The Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon stands, without any ifs or buts, for clean and fair sport. We actively support NADA’s doping controls and, in doing so, play our part in ensuring that athletes who abide by the rules ultimately receive the recognition they deserve,” explains Günther Weidlinger, race director and sporting director of the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon.

The fact that the tests carried out at the Linz Donau Marathon helped to uncover a doping offence and subsequently led to a sanction demonstrates, in the organisers’ view, just how important these measures are, particularly in international elite sport.

The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon will continue to adhere strictly to its high standards in the elite sector and support anti-doping work as a key component of the event. After all, top sporting performances deserve recognition – provided they are achieved cleanly and fairly.