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Vienna City Marathon

April 18, 2027 · 9:00 AMVienna, Austria

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Race snapshot

Race Day

55°F

43–64°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

197ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +16 ft

Participants

40K

World-class event

Crowd Rating

7/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

Entry

Registration Closed

Standard Registration

€125

Official Website

Key Dates

1. Marathon registration open (VCM 2027)
  Jun 24, 2026
  Full marathon registration is open for VCM 2027. As of 2026-06-24, the official site lists marathon registration as open; most other events (half marathon, relay, 10K) show registration closed at this time.
2. Marathon registration closed (VCM 2027)
  Sep 23, 2026
  The official site announced on 23 Sep 2026 that marathon registration for VCM 2027 is closed; waiting lists are open. The half marathon was already sold out (11 Sep 2026).
3. Race day – Vienna City Marathon 2027
  Apr 18, 2027
  Vienna City Marathon 2027 race day. Tagline: 'Let's run & let the music play!' Start time expected ~09:00 per historical pattern.

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The Lowdown

The Vienna City Marathon, first held in 1984, has grown into Austria’s premier road race and a highlight of the international marathon calendar. Held each spring along a largely flat, fast route through the heart of Vienna, the event attracts elite athletes and tens of thousands of mass participants from around the world. Over its decades of history the VCM has become known for efficient organization, strong elite fields, and a festive atmosphere that blends the city’s imperial heritage with modern running culture. The course showcases Vienna’s most famous landmarks and varied urban landscapes: runners pass through the Prater and its tree-lined Hauptallee, run along the Danube and the Donaukanal, and traverse the elegant Ringstraße past the Opera, Rathaus and Burgtheater before approaching the historic center with views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg. The route finishes in front of the monumental Heldenplatz, providing a dramatic and photogenic closing stretch. Multiple live music and cheer zones, local food stands, and enthusiastic crowds create a lively, supportive atmosphere for both competitive athletes chasing fast times and recreational runners enjoying the sights. The Vienna City Marathon is AIMS-certified and has held World Athletics Label status, making it a recognized course for international rankings and prize-money events; it is also a Boston Marathon qualifying race. Whether aiming for a personal best, a qualifying time, or simply the experience of running through Vienna’s historic streets, participants can expect a well-supported, scenic, and memorable race day.

Jun 24, 2026: 2026 Edition Completed; 2027 Registration Now Open for April 18, 2027
The Vienna City Marathon 2026 edition was completed on April 19, 2026. The official website has announced the 2027 edition will take place on April 18, 2027, with marathon registration already open as of June 2026. Pricing for 2027 has not yet been published; the registration portal shows 'further registrations coming soon'.
Apr 6, 2025: Record 46,000+ Participants Registered for 2025 Edition
The 2025 Vienna City Marathon set a new participation record with around 46,000 registered runners from 146 countries across all events, including a record 13,000 entries for the full marathon distance. The race sold out earlier than ever before, prompting organizers to work with crowd science experts to safely accommodate the unprecedented demand.
Apr 6, 2025: 21-Year-Old Haftamu Abadi Becomes Youngest Male Winner in Race History
Ethiopia's Haftamu Abadi won the 2025 edition in 2:08:28, becoming the youngest male winner in Vienna Marathon history at age 21. Kenya's Betty Chepkemoi won the women's race in 2:24:14 in only her second career marathon, both achieving huge personal bests despite bitterly cold winds and near-freezing conditions on race day.
Apr 23, 2023: Men's Course Record Set by Samwel Mailu in 2023
Kenya's Samwel Mailu set the current men's course record of 2:05:08 at the 40th edition in 2023, breaking the previous nine-year-old record by 33 seconds. The women's course record of 2:20:59 was set by Kenya's Vibian Chepkirui in 2022, who was invited back to defend her title at the 2025 race.

2026 · Marathon

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Course Highlights: 01Heldenplatz / Hofburg – The race passes the historic Heldenplatz in front of the Hofburg imperial palace complex, offering views of Austria’s Habsburg heritage
02Vienna State Opera – Runners circle part of the Ringstraße and pass by the ornate Vienna State Opera building on the iconic boulevard
03Rathaus (City Hall) – The course runs along the Ring near the neo-Gothic Rathaus, a major spectator hotspot with its grand façade
04Prater Hauptallee and Wiener Riesenrad – A long tree-lined stretch through the Prater park culminating near the famous Wiener Riesenrad (Ferris wheel)
05Reichsbrücke and Danube views – The marathon includes running across or alongside the Reichsbrücke with panoramic views of the Danube River
06Donau City / UNO-City – Participants pass the modern glass skyline of Donau City and the United Nations buildings on the river’s bank
07St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) – The route takes in vistas of Vienna’s medieval cathedral in the city center, a signature landmark for finish-area scenery
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon · 5K
Time Limit: 6 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry
Tour Operator
Club/Group Entry
Invitation/Elite Entry
Travel Package (Hotel + Race)
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old on race day (2026-04-19)
Registered and fully paid entry required prior to race (no same-day registration)
Must submit accurate personal and emergency contact information during registration
Medical clearance recommended; participants should be fit to run a marathon and consult a doctor if unsure
All runners must wear the official race bib with timing chip and start in assigned start corral
Participants must follow the Vienna City Marathon race rules and the instructions of race officials and medical staff
No refunds, deferrals or bib transfers except as permitted by the organizer’s official policies
No pets, baby strollers or unauthorized wheeled devices allowed in the marathon field
Cut-off time for the marathon is 6 hours (officially enforced at course checkpoints)
Wheelchair and handcycle athletes must enter the designated competition categories and meet classification and equipment requirements specified by the organizer
Required Documents: Photo ID (passport or national ID)
VCM pick-up confirmation, emailed by the end of March
Minimum age 18 on race day
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Registration fees are non-refundable after confirmation
Name changes or transfers to another registered runner permitted until 2026-03-20 for a processing fee
Deferral to the 2027 Vienna City Marathon is allowed until 2026-03-20 for a deferral fee; after that date deferrals are not accepted
Medical deferrals accepted with a physician’s certificate; medical deferral provides credit towards next year’s entry (voucher covering 75% of the original entry fee)
If the organizer cancels the event, registrants will be offered either a full refund or a free deferral to the next edition (organizer’s discretion)

Book Stay

01: The course is extremely scenic, routing through Vienna’s historic Ringstraße, past the State Opera and Hofburg palace, along the Danube Island and finishing inside the iconic Prater park.
02: Finishers receive a technical long-sleeve shirt and a commemorative medal, and there is a large post-race food area with hot drinks and regional refreshments plus a beer garden for spectators.
03: Race weekend includes a large running expo with packet pickup, a pre-race pasta party, and a popular kids’ run (Kinderlauf) to engage families.
04: There are well-placed aid stations roughly every 3–5 km with water, sports drink and sponges, and medical support is available along the route; watch for short cobbled or uneven sections in the historic center.
05: Public transport is the best way to reach the start area (huge race-day traffic restrictions apply), and elite and recreational runners alike should plan for variable April weather—layers and a lightweight rain shell are recommended.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, moderate weather Difficulty Analyzer197ft gain, 55°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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