With the support of Oberbank, record holder Julia Mayer is starting her Olympic project "Mission Los Angeles 2028" at the 24th Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon this year. And national champion Mario Bauernfeind is also aiming to defend his title, best performance and top ranking in Linz.
The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon will once again become a national and international stage for running in 2026. With Julia Mayer and Mario Bauernfeind, two of the country's most distinguished long-distance runners can now be named as top title contenders as part of the Austrian National Marathon Championships. Both have big goals - both athletically and strategically - and are making a clear statement in Linz.
For Julia Mayer, the start at the 24th Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon marks far more than just another marathon at the highest level. The 22-time national champion, participant in the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 and Austrian record holder in the marathon and half marathon is using Linz as the official kick-off for her Olympic project "Mission Los Angeles 2028". The road to LA begins on Upper Austrian asphalt - aggressively and with a clear message.
Record holder with international aspirations
Mayer holds the Austrian marathon record of 2:26:08 hours, run in Valencia in 2025. This mark is an expression of a development that has taken her into the international elite in recent years. In Linz, it's therefore not just about winning the national championships, but also about finishing at the top of the overall rankings - and the next attack on her own record. The flat, fast course offers ideal conditions for this.
"Linz is the perfect place for me to start a new chapter. I want to run boldly and show that the road to Los Angeles has already begun," said Julia Mayer in the run-up to the race.
Defending champion with a winning mentality
In the men's race, Mario Bauernfeind is the focus of national interest. The reigning national champion in the marathon wants to defend his title in Linz - and make a sporting statement at the same time.
With a personal best time of 2:12:49 hours, Bauernfeind is one of the fastest Austrian marathon runners in history. In recent years, the development of the Viennese police athlete has been characterized by consistency, tactical maturity and a clear commitment to high-performance sport. National championship titles on the road and strong international performances underline his role as a leading figure in domestic long-distance running. In Linz, his declared goal is to defend his title and attack his personal best.
"I want to actively shape the race and invest everything. National championships are always something special - even more so in front of a home crowd in Linz," emphasizes Mario Bauernfeind.
Linz as a stage for Austrian running history
By hosting the 2026 national championships, the Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon is once again underlining its leading position in the Austrian running calendar. The combination of a fast course, professional organization and an enthusiastic audience creates the ideal conditions for top performances. Dr. Franz Gasselsberger, CEO of Oberbank: "I am delighted that Oberbank, as a bank with a passion for running, has been able to bring the most dazzling personality in Austrian running, Julia Mayer, to Linz. She exemplifies motivation, continuity and international ambitions. I am delighted to welcome Julia to Linz and wish her all the best for her Los Angeles 2028 mission."
Linz Marathon race director Günther Weidlinger is also very pleased: "With Julia Mayer and Mario Bauernfeind, two spearheads of the local running scene are starting in Linz, which gives the event additional appeal." The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon 2026 thus promises not only exciting title decisions, but possibly also new records - and the start of a major Olympic project.
The entire final elite field will be presented at the traditional press conference on April 8.
