Corona has stopped events, but not the joy of running. This was especially noticeable on Sunday, April 19, the day of the Vienna City Marathon. Many were of the opinion that running is by far best idea especially on this day. It was just great to see how people were celebrating VCM Day even though the event could not take place. Just thank you.
Of course we also thought about organizing a virtual marathon and calling for a run under the conditions of social distancing. But in the end we decided against it in order not to create a situation where it would be difficult to keep the distance rules, since many participants live in Vienna and the surrounding area. We also didn't possibly want to contribute to a situation that too many people are running on the VCM course, which is not closed to traffic apart from the Prater Hauptallee.
Perfect day, start with the car horn
What was it like, this day? Temperatures 12°C, overcast, light wind. Sometimes light rain. The weather in Vienna was practically perfect for running. What could have been possible there!?!?
9:00 am on the Wagramer Straße in front of the Reichsbrücke. A group of four running colleagues is getting ready for the start. "We will run the VCM course with some changes. We are doing this because we miss the VCM 2020", says Emir. The motto on their shirts: #VCM2020 #Ichwardabei (I was part of it) #Corona
Gerhard, head of organisation and managing director of the VCM, simply took it to the start in the morning. He talks to the four runners. Punctually at 9:00 a.m. he presses the car horn as a start signal, and the four run their personal half marathon with a safe distance. There is melancholy in the face of the organizer, and because the start is so close to the Danube, not only does the water flow ...
With old and self-made starting numbers
Prater Hauptallee. As always the number one running location in Vienna and Austria. Before Kipchoge, after Kipchoge, and especially at the Vienna City Marathon. At 9:15 a first rain shower. Who cares. Runners smile at each other. One thinks that the other thinks that both know that today would have been the marathon. Some put an old race number on their shirts. Thomas wore the number 1, made by his children, who also held a finish tape for him at the private finish on the sidewalk. „F... the Virus" is written on one runner's shirt. Mamas and daddies are accompanied by their children on the bike. Friends run along them for some time. At the Kipchoge finish line of the 1:59 marathon, many cheer for their personal finish on this day.
In the city center. Runners in VCM-shirts of the last years on the sidewalks next to the Ringstraße. So quiet. One can let the stage in front of the opera come to life in one's mind. The audience. The full grandstands at the finish. The screens and loudspeakers. "The streets and the atmosphere were of course not comparable to a VCM, but still some passers-by and passing cars cheered us on. It was a great feeling", said Robert, a keen hockey player and one of the four friends who started on the Reichsbrücke. After 1:51 hours they unofficially reached the finish line.
The VCM Team this time running
In front of the Burgtheater the finish line is marked. CU @ VCM 2021 is there. For Mehmed, our production manager in the VCM team, this is certainly true. He and many others would have worked very hard for this day. Today was his first time as a runner. Cheered on and accompanied by colleagues he completed the full marathon distance for the first time. Chapeau! Laurin managed a half marathon - congratulations on that, too. Not that we would wish it again, but never before has it been possible for the members of the VCM team to run themselves this weekend. Already on Saturday we and many others were out and about. Kathrin, managing director and responsible for the entertainment program among other things, organized a private VCM children's run with her children and kids from the neighborhood. Twelve participants, with megaphone and finish tape. Of course, everything within the rules of keeping the distance. The joy of it easily overcame the distance.
Virtually and in thought with other participants
Throughout Austria and in many countries the VCM was present in the minds of runners. "Actually today would have been the Vienna City Marathon ...", this or similar is how countless postings begin. Many have "run virtually and in their thoughts with the other participants", as user "am_land_leben" wrote on Instagram.
In Vorarlberg, the "Team Debec" has without further ado made its own little run. "Hello VCM! We thought yours and spontaneously created the VCR, the Vorarlberg Country Run in the Natura 2000 area", they wrote on Instagram. In Upper Austria Marcus Reischauer ran his private "Innviertel Marathon". Christian Putz and his team completed a relay marathon spread over four countries. He himself ran in Austria, his three colleagues ran simultaneously in France, England and Ireland. Members of the Austrian Racketlon national team ran either 5 km, 10 km or a half marathon with a ball or bat. "Boss" Marcel Weigl managed the half marathon distance for the first time. Relay marathons were run via telephone conference. Paul Perneczky ran his 101st "marathon" more or less on the original course in Vienna - through a few detours it was 45 kilometers in the end. "I dedicate this run to everyone who is struggling with corona virus - the medical specialists, politicians, people who have a direct contact with clients... as well as Vienna City Marathon team" - many thanks! Many of the VCM Ambassadors were out on the roads. Pierre-Yves from Switzerland jogged on the Danube Canal and in the Prater, Toby from the USA completed a full marathon in a remarkable 2:49 hours in the Hauptallee.
Top runners without a race
Christian Steinhammer, European Championship bronze medallist in the team competition with marathon PB 2:17:19, who has been working in the VCM team since autumn 2019, tells: "I was running in the morning, in the forest, far away from other runners, and I made it up with myself. The mood fluctuates. Actually, I would have time to train now, but there is no goal because the Olympic qualification was also cancelled until December. It's just about running, but it's my foundation and what I like to do best."
Tadesse Abraham, the Swiss marathon record holder and last year's VCM runner-up, made a 25 km run in Switzerland in thoughts of his planned start in Vienna: "Normally I would run the Vienna City Marathon. Hope we will do it next year!"
Stephan Listabarth from Vienna, he is a medical doctor in the scientific field and with his best time of 2:18:23 is one of the best marathon runners in Austria, wrote: "Even though my thoughts during these last few weeks have barely been about running - it was still strange today. I decided to "celebrate" this day with an easy run by myself enjoying the conditions, that would just have been perfect ... No matter what, one thing is sure. Together we run 2021!"
And, and, and.
Have a look at Instagram stories of the VCM 2020 day.
Intensive care instead of a best-time hunt
The day had other omens, for example for the Lower Austrian Michael Stulik, who set a half-marathon best time of 69:40 minutes in Barcelona in February and prepared for a VCM start. As a qualified nurse for intensive care, he is now in great demand. Thank you on behalf of the team!
We wish everyone good luck in the race and are looking forward to events when they are possible again.
VCM News / AM
