Running fun along the Danube at the ÖGK Junior Marathon on the New Railway Bridge
For the first time, the focus at the opening event of the marathon weekend was on the fun of exercise for the young athletes at a new, attractive venue.
The ÖGK Junior Marathon powered by ORF Radio Upper Austria returned to the Danube and started on the New Railway Bridge. As 2024 is all about inclusion, the Junior Marathon also featured a separate running competition for people with disabilities for the first time, the 1st Special Olympics Run powered by Hofmann Personal. The "minis" showed great enthusiasm and fun on the new running course.
Over 2,000 children and young people enthusiastic about running celebrated the Olympic motto at the new venue on the Danube and the new railroad bridge: "Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together."
The fully booked children's game on the day before the marathon Sunday was a family festival dedicated to the joy of movement. As part of the ÖGK Junior Marathon - powered by ORF Radio OÖ , a Family Party - powered by LINZ AG also took place for the first time. As a novelty, there was a separate running competition for people with disabilities. The 1st Special Olympics Rund Linz - powered by Hofmann Personal with a distance of 530m helped the 286 participants to experience new abilities and unexpected successes through the power of sport.
ÖGK has been a sponsor of the Junior Marathon powered by ORF Radio Upper Austria for seven years. "Countless experts explain how important sufficient exercise is for health. We at ÖGK go one step further: children who get plenty of exercise lay the foundations for an active and healthy lifestyle later on. We want to actively support this and will continue to do so in the coming years," says Michael Pecherstorfer, Chairman of the ÖGK Regional Committee for Upper Austria, who is delighted with the new and attractive venue and the high level of participation in the youth competition.
The four competitions and 15 age groups of the Ö GK Junior Marathon powered by ORF Radio OÖ were held for the first time on Saturday afternoon on the New Railway Bridge in a fantastic setting. With the Pöstlingberg in the background and the new Hofman Personal Stadium right next door, the race was significantly enhanced for the youngest runners with this new venue.
"The junior marathon is a great opportunity for kids to develop an enthusiasm for exercise," says Deputy Mayor and Sports Officer Karin Hörzig. "In addition to the sponsors and organizers, I would of course also like to thank the many volunteers who make the Junior Marathon a spectacle for the whole family at this new and fantastic venue. "By relocating the ÖGK Junior Marathon to the Danube and the New Railway Bridge, we were able to enable around 800 more children to take part than in previous years. With over 2,000 children, being closer than ever to the biggest running spectacle in the country is a unique thing," says Wolfgang Scheibner, marathon coordinator at LIVA.
From midday, the "minis" born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 started in small groups over a distance of 70 meters. The concept, which was developed according to sports medicine and psychological criteria without timekeeping, focuses on the fun of moving together. Because taking part is everything. The little ones don't need to be timed. "It's not a best time that counts for our little ones, but the Olympic motto: 'Faster. Higher. Stronger. Together'. Quite a few participants later find their way from the Junior Marathon - powered by ORF Radio OÖ to the races of the "big ones", says Karin Hörzig, Deputy Mayor of Linz and responsible for sport.
Between the 2018 and 2015 age groups, the mascot run started on the track for the youngest runners over a distance of 70 meters. Eight mascots competed for the favor of the spectators and provided numerous laughs with funny interludes. Led by LiMa (Linz Marathon Lauffeuer), Mostdipf (ÖON), Sebastian (LINZ AG Grottenbahn), Wättchen (LINZ AG Strom), Scharli (LINZ AG Wasser), Flöwi (Generali), Tina Turtle (LINZ AG Bäder) and Hopsi Hopper (ASKÖ OÖ), the mascots brightened up the mood of young and old alike.
The distance for the kids aged between 6 and 13 was 530 meters this year. The start was on the Linz side of the New Railway Bridge in the direction of Linz. All age groups were again ranked individually, with boys and girls starting separately. "The new
destination with the fantastic backdrop of the railroad bridge and the Pöstlingberg in the background simply offers us a lot of attractive opportunities and a unique atmosphere," said Linz Marathon coordinator Günther Weidlinger happily. In addition to the obligatory ÖGK starter bag with the Junior Marathon T-shirt, each child also received the popular golden finisher's medal.
"It is important that the children are encouraged to exercise. At the same time, however, there should be little pressure on them. The new venue on the Danube with the New Railway Bridge offers space for this and is clearly fun for the children. The little ones are just as happy, even if the clock is not running. In this way, they are slowly introduced to the competition and stay involved in the Linz Marathon and the sport of running. Cheerful and enthusiastic children's faces are the best reward for the efforts made in the run-up to the organization. We also held the award ceremonies in three blocks immediately after the running events to reduce waiting times for the little ones," emphasizes Linz Marathon Coordinator Günther Weidlinger.
For the first time, the Linz Danube Marathon also focused on inclusion and organized its own running competition for people with disabilities together with Special Olympics Upper Austria. Sports Minister and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler did not miss out on this and traveled to Linz especially for the award ceremony. The running distance for the competition, which started in the same way as the junior competitions, was 530m.
"For us, this was a unique opportunity to give people with disabilities the chance to take part in sport as part of the Linz Marathon. This is a great and clear sign of inclusion in Upper Austrian sport," said Hermann Krist, President of Special Olympics Upper Austria. The number of participants was particularly impressive: 286 participants at the very first event also positively surprised the organizers.
Helmut Herzog, Managing Director of Hofmann Personal, says: "We are delighted to be the namesake this year. Through this support, we are actively committed to breaking down barriers and creating a world in which everyone has the same opportunities to develop their full potential". The aim of the 1st Special Olympic Run Linz is to help participants discover new abilities through the power of sport and perhaps experience previously unimagined success," says Bernd Gröber. The award ceremony was then held by Sports Minister and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler.
As part of the ÖGK Junior Marathon, a Family Party powered by LINZ AG took place for the first time. Kuddelmuddel (Theater des Kindes) and a house of LIVA, developed and organized program interludes such as breakdance, juggling and music shows for the children. In addition, there was the widely used opportunity to play games, soccer darts, hacksacks or airbrush together with adults. The offer was enthusiastically accepted in beautiful weather. More than 5,000 people cavorted on the banks of the Danube.
In the LINZ AG tent, there was a game of chance for the kids, food trucks with drinks and food, tables and benches. A chill-out area with sun loungers created an all-round feel-good atmosphere. "Thanks to the support of LINZ AG, we were able to provide a really attractive offer for parents and children," says LIVA Marathon Coordinator Wolfgang Scheibner.
The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon also sees itself as a service marathon: this is demonstrated by the fact that the organizers were still available on site in the TipsArena for last-minute late entries on Friday and Saturday, i.e. until shortly before the start of the main competition. At the time of going to press and before the end of the late entry phase, the provisional final count at the official entry deadline was already 17,285 participants. Late entries are still possible until 18:00 this Saturday.
"It turns out that quite a few last-minute registrants are still signing up. The new Generali 5K run over a distance of exactly 5,000 meters is of course also contributing to this. We will be able to provide specific numbers of participants after the registration deadline.
What is certain is that a committed field of running enthusiasts will once again be at the start in Linz. In addition, the renewed strong commitment of main sponsor Oberbank will once again make it possible to put together a dense and high-caliber elite field. This means that the battle for a new best time can be fought for both men and women," said LIVA Marathon Coordinator Wolfgang Scheibner and Race Director Günther Weidlinger.
Photo: Klaus Mitterhauser
