Thousands of marathon runners in the starting blocks

Sport

It’s that time once more: Thousands of runners are in the starting blocks for today’s 39th Vienna City Marathon (VCM). Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen gives the starting signal at 8.58 a.m. The first competitions already took place yesterday.

More than 31,000 runners are at the start of the weekend races. 8,000 registered for the marathon distance. In addition to the marathon, there is also a half marathon and a relay marathon. Four running competitions between the Prater and the Burgtheater took place on Saturday: the “Vienna 10 K”, the “Children’s Run 2 K”, the “Coca-Cola Inclusion Run” and for the second time “The Daily Mile Run 1.6 K”. “.

“We are very pleased that we were able to significantly exceed the mark of 30,000 registrations,” said managing director Kathrin Widu in advance. Last September, the number of participants was still 26,000. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, a total of more than 40,000 participants were recorded. Above all, the number of runners from more distant countries decreased.

APA graphics/Martin Hirsch

Premiere for the Federal President

For the first time, the Federal President will give the starting signal for the marathon. “It’s a great recognition for us. He will address a few motivating words to the participants and send the runners on their way with the starting signal,” said VCM Managing Director Dominik Konrad on Thursday. Never before had a Federal President given the go-ahead for Austria’s largest running event.

roadblocks and traffic delays

As always, there are numerous traffic obstructions. The ring is at least partially closed until late followingnoon. This time it is not possible to dodge the line of two. All districts within the belt and Brigittenau are also affected by partial closures: for example, the belt between Schönbrunnerstrasse and Felberstrasse is not passable from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as is the outer and inner Mariahilfer Strasse.

And the start at the Reichsbrücke also takes its toll, you can’t get to Wagramerstrasse from the Donauuferautobahn, for example, and that until around 11:45 a.m. The southeast approach is also affected: the important exit Zentrum is not usable until the followingnoon – more on that in Numerous traffic obstructions.

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