FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vienna City Marathon:
Vibian Chepkirui breaks course record, Cosmas Muteti wins in Vienna
Vibian Chepkirui defended her title and smashed the course record at the
Vienna City Marathon. The Kenyan won with 2:20:59 after a close battle with
fellow-Kenyan Ruth Chebitok who finished second in 2:21:03. Sheila Jerotich
made it an all-Kenyan podium, taking third place in 2:23:01.
Cosmas Muteti won the men's race with 2:06:53, which is the second fastest
time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon. Fellow-Kenyan Leonard
Langat was second in 2:06:59 and Eritrea's Oqbe Kibrom followed in third
with 2:07:25. Although there was no course record in the men's race the
wider top results were the best ever in the history of the event. There
have never been two results below 2:07 before in Vienna. And seven times
sub 2:10 is also a record for Austria's prime road race.
A total of 32,000 runners from about 100 nations had registered for the
39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, including events at shorter
distances. Around 8,000 of them competed in the marathon. The Vienna City
Marathon is Austria's biggest sporting event and a World Athletics Label
Road Race.
Men's Race
There was good pacemaking with an even pace in the men's race for a long
time although the 2:05:41 course record was never really threatened. A
group of 17 runners including the three pacers passed half way in 63:21 and
then went on to a 30k split time of 1:30:12. However when the pacers all
dropped out at the same time right after the 30k point the race for victory
was on immediately. It was Oqbe Kibrom who surged ahead instantly. The
fastest runner on the start list (PB: 2:05:53) seemed on course for a first
Eritrean victory in the history of the race. However with kilometer splits
of 2:54 and 2:51 for the 31st and 32k Oqbe Kibrom misjudged his potential
and the picture changed.
"I knew he was strong. But I decided not go with him at 30k and run my own
pace instead. I hoped to close the gap slowly," explained Cosmas Muteti,
who soon realised that he did gain ground on the leader. With around five
kilometres to go the Kenyan, who is partly coached by former world marathon
record holder Patrick Makau and was fifth in Berlin last September, caught
Oqbe Kibrom and then moved away from him.
In the final stages fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat took second place and made
up some ground to the leader. "I knew that he was coming nearer, but I was
sure to win as I would have been able to put in a sprint if needed," said
Cosmas Muteti, who wrote history by becoming the 50th runner of the Vienna
City Marathon to achieve a sub 2:10 finish. "This is my biggest victory. I
hope to be able to defend my title here next year and then may be break the
course record," said Cosmas Muteti, who improved his former PB of 2:08:45
by almost two minutes.
Austrian's Lemawork Ketema was the best European runner in Vienna with a
2:15:42 finishing time in 13th place. However he missed the qualifying
standard for the European Championships.
Women's Race
In relatively good weather conditions but some wind the women's race
developed differently. Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui, who ran only
her second marathon after her Vienna debut triumph in 2021, broke away
after eight kilometres. At the 10k mark she had a split time of 33:11 which
pointed to a 2:20 finishing time. She was six seconds ahead of
fellow-Kenyans Ruth Chebitok and Viola Yator. For an unexpected reason the
27 year-old was then not able to maintain this pace. "My husband and
pacemaker Wesley Kongogo had a problem with his shoes and got a blister, so
he slowed a bit," explained Vibian Chepkirui. While she had a lead of nine
seconds at half way, which she passed in 70:38, she was unable to
significantly increase it. In contrast Ruth Chebitok, who had left behind
Viola Yator after the half way mark, made up the deficit and was running
right behind the defending champion at 35k.
Vibian Chepkirui stayed ahead by a step in the final section and it was
with around one kilometer to go at Vienna's Opera House when she increased
the pace again and secured her second Vienna marathon victory. "I am of
course very happy to have won again in Vienna. I want to come back next
year and then my goal will be to improve to 2:18," said Vibian Chepkirui,
who ran 2:24:29 in her debut last September in warm conditions.
Slovenia's Neja Krsinar was the fastest European runner in Vienna. She
finished eighth in 2:35:30.
Results, Men:
1. Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:06:53
2. Leonard Langat KEN 2:06:59
3. Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:07:25
4. Charles Ndiema KEN 2:08:12
5. Raymond Chose KEN 2:08:32
6. Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:10
7. Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:09:55
8. Abdi Fufa ETH 2:10:32
9. Abraham Kipyatich KEN 2:10:51
10. Mike Chesire KEN 2:11:32
Women:
1. Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:20:59
2. Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:21:03
3. Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:23:01
4. Urge Soboka ETH 2:27:13
5. Caroline Kilel KEN 2:29:29
6. Viola Yator KEN 2:30:40
7. Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:31:44
8. Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:30
9. Kellys Arias COL 2:38:28
10. Chaltu Marame ETH 2:38:34
For more information please visit www.vienna-marathon.com
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