143 nations at the start

500 police officers protect the Vienna City Marathon

Uniformed and plainclothes officers (archive photo from last year) will protect the Vienna City Marathon this weekend.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Around 42,000 runners will take part in all events of the Vienna City Marathon on Saturday and Sunday. 500 police officers, including special forces from various units, will protect the major event.

The State Security Directorate continues to rate the risk situation with regard to terrorism in Austria as "high" - which is hardly surprising given the explosive situation in the Middle East. Major events are always a sensitive issue. To ensure the safety of runners and spectators along the route, the Vienna police are sending more than 500 officers onto the streets during the marathon weekend. Including special forces from various units.

No concrete evidence of danger
In 2022, there were shocking reports of possible Islamic State (IS) plans to attack the Vienna Marathon. Fortunately, these turned out to be false suspicions. What about this year? "There is no concrete evidence of a threat against the event," says a spokeswoman for the provincial police directorate.

Several roads in the Vienna city area will be closed on Sunday for the Vienna City Marathon.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

The police are also responsible for the road closures and detour. There may be delays in public and individual traffic throughout Vienna, especially in the city center. The first disruptions will begin on Friday evening, when the ring road between Stadiongasse and Schottengasse will be closed. According to the ÖAMTC, further sections of the Ringstraße and, as a result, Franz-Josefs-Kai will be closed from Saturday afternoon.

All participants will cover over 640,000 kilometers over the weekend.

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

16 circumnavigations of the globe in Vienna
About the marathons: Ranging in age from five to 84 years, the participants will run a total of 640,000 kilometers, or 16 circumnavigations of the globe. They start near the UNO City, pass the Prater Hauptallee athletics world heritage site and historical highlights such as Schönbrunn Palace and the Ringstrasse. The finish line is in front of the Burgtheater.

The set-up in the finish area of the Vienna City Marathon is already in full swing.

(Bild: ALEXEEV SERGEY)

Over 20 kilometers of barriers
115 authorities and institutions are working together to ensure the success of Austria's biggest running event. Preparations are in full swing. Florian Holecek, Head of Production of the Vienna City Marathon, told a "Krone" local inspection of the 110,000 square meter finish area on Rathausplatz: "Over 900 people from around 100 different suppliers are busy setting up and dismantling 150 tons of material. Over 20 kilometers of barriers are being erected."

Kathrin Widu, Florian Holecek and Dominik Konrad in the finish area at Rathausplatz.

(Bild: ALEXEEV SERGEY)

LED finish gate plays all the tunes
Kathrin Widu, Managing Director of the Vienna City Marathon Group, is looking forward to welcoming runners of 143 (!) nationalities. There will be acts, cheers and activities for them at 42 points along the marathon route. A special highlight is the Vienna Symphony Mile at the Lusthaus. Widu emphasizes: "When amateur athletes actually complete the 42.195 km for the first time, there are incredible emotions at the finish line. That's my personal highlight every year." The LED finish gate in front of the Burgtheater will intensify the emotions even more. Personal congratulations and photos previously uploaded by family and friends can be displayed on it. The presenters can also play the participants' favorite songs.

Dominik Konrad, who shares the management with Widu, explains: "We wanted to make the finish even more spectacular and spent a long time working on it. Now we can interact even more with the participants. The presenters know facts about each runner via the timing chips. A team from the Chicago Marathon is coming specially to watch it. That makes us a bit proud."