VIENNA CITY MARATHON 2026 PREVIEW: KIBROM EYES FIRST ERITREAN MEN'S WIN IN 43RD EDITION

The Vienna City Marathon returns for its 43rd edition on April 19, a World Athletics Elite Label event that has produced some of Europe's fastest spring marathon times. The men's race carries an obvious storyline: Oqbe Kibrom of Eritrea makes his second attempt at a race that slipped away from him four years ago.

The Men's Race

Kibrom heads the 2026 start list with a personal best of 2:05:37, set in Berlin. He has run three sub-2:06:00 performances in his career. At the 2022 Vienna City Marathon, Kibrom led the race after the final pacemaker dropped out at 30 kilometers but faded in the closing stages. Kenya's Cosmas Muteti came from behind and won; Kibrom finished third in 2:07:25. In 2025, Kibrom ran 2:06:04 to finish fourth in Daegu.

The 28-year-old Eritrean will face Tafese Delegen of Ethiopia, who ran 2:06:11 in Seville, and Stanley Kurgat of Kenya, who clocked 2:07:05 in Berlin. No Eritrean man has won the Vienna City Marathon. Kibrom is the only previous top-three finisher in the 2026 field.

The Women's Race

The women's field has not been officially confirmed as of race week. Recent editions have been competitive: Betty Chepkemoi of Kenya won the 2025 race in 2:24:14, Nazret Weldu of Eritrea took the 2024 title in 2:24:08, and Magdalyne Masai of Kenya won in 2023 with 2:24:12. The women's course record stands at 2:20:59, set by Vibian Chepkirui of Kenya in 2022.

The Course

The race starts near Wagramer Strasse and crosses the Danube into the Prater district before passing the Vienna State Opera and finishing on the Ringstrasse in front of the Burgtheater. Maximum elevation change is 44 meters, making it one of Europe's flattest and fastest marathon courses. The men's course record is 2:05:08, set by Samwel Mailu of Kenya in 2023.

Prize money is gender-equal at €15,000 per winner, with an additional course record bonus of approximately €10,000.

Start Time

The marathon, half marathon, and relay all start at 9:00 a.m. on April 19. Austrian broadcaster ORF will carry live television coverage, with a global livestream available on WatchAthletics.com.

For a deeper look at how the race grew from a small Austrian road race into a World Athletics Elite Label event, read our history of the Vienna City Marathon.