Vienna Calling! Austria's running elite and a large field of 1,950 registered runners took part in the 3rd VCM Winter Run in Vienna. Outstanding half marathon winners were Julia Mayer in 1:14:54 hours in preparation for the Vienna City Marathon (VCM) and Andreas Vojta in 1:03:31 hours in very windy conditions.
Six weeks before the VCM, many runners got a boost to their form and motivation. Organised by the VCM team, this event offered a tingling foretaste of Austria's biggest active sports event - and many were there who were taking part in a running competition for the first time!
In addition to the half marathon, the programme included 5 km and 10 km races.
Congratulations to all finishers!
Here you can find all results!
Start on the Reichsbrücke, finish in the Prater Hauptallee - this attractive and fast half marathon setting attracted many participants to the start. The strong wind demanded a lot from the runners and made it impossible to run at a steady pace. This made the performances in this test race all the more impressive.
Julia Mayer: Half marathon with a 10 km run-up
National record holder Julia Mayer won the women's race in convincing style in 1:14:54 hours. In preparation for her VCM start, she completed a demanding early morning training programme. Immediately before the race, she ran 10 kilometres. She started the half marathon at 8:00 a.m. with just a few minutes' rest and completed the 21.1 kilometres with aplomb at the end of a training week of over 200 kilometres.
"It was really tough today. I briefly thought about giving up at kilometre three. The wind simply takes a lot of energy. But this run gives me a lot of mental energy for the marathon, because even there it's all about persevering when the going gets tough," said Julia Mayer (DSG Vienna) at the finish.
Larissa Matz (ULC Riverside Mödling), Austria's U23 record holder in the half marathon and over 10 km, took second place in 1:19:40 hours. After recovering from an infection, she organised the competition as a training run and once again showed her potential. Third place went to Edit Filo from Budapest in 1:21:36 ahead of former national marathon champion Luzia Ludwig in 1:22:20.
Andreas Vojta wins ahead of Bauernfeind and Stadlmann
Andreas Vojta won the half marathon in 63:31 minutes in a strong field of men. Mario Bauernfeind in 64:45 and Dominik Stadlmann (both ÖBV Pro Team) in 64:59 minutes also showed top performances. Andreas Vojta (team2012.at): "In good conditions my run would certainly have been worth 62 minutes. Most of the time I had to run alone, you have to put a lot of energy into it. I always tried to keep up the pace. I can judge the result very well."
Young dad Peter Herzog with a training run
Austria's marathon record holder Peter Herzog (Union Salzburg) initially ran at the front of the field and completed a perfect 15 km training run - three days after the birth of his second daughter Hanna. His next goals are the Berlin half marathon on 7 April and the full marathon distance at the VCM on 21 April.
Event highlight before the VCM
"We are very happy about the great participation in the races. The Vienna Calling Half Marathon has become an event highlight in its own right. With the spectacular start on the Reichsbrücke, the opportunity to prepare for the Vienna City Marathon and the atmospheric surroundings, this race has potential for the coming years," said VCM managing directors Kathrin Widu and Dominik Konrad, drawing a very pleased conclusion.
Wien Energie Boombox Runners provided music along the route, adidas invited runners to "Test & Try" the latest Supernova running shoe models, the runners were cheered on by presenters at the start, finish and Lusthaus, a DJ set the mood at the finish and all finishers received spring flowers after the successful run.
A total of more than 3,500 runners took part in the three VCM winter runs in December, January and March and did something good for their form and health. There were 1,950 registrations for today's third race, including more than 1,000 for the half marathon, and 1,568 finishers.
Lena Millonig is delighted with her best time
In the 5km race, obstacle specialist Lena Millonig (ULC Riverside Mödling) showed that her form continues to improve. She won in a personal best time of 16:21 minutes ahead of Lisa Oberndorfer (17:15) and Sophie Grabner (17:35). "I was expecting a time of 16:40, so I'm very pleased with my result," said Millonig after the race. "A group of men helped me well against the wind and I was able to let myself drift with the wind."
Daniel Karner (KSV Alutechnik) won the men's race in 16:02 minutes ahead of Lukas Helmberger (LAC Nationalpark Molln) in 16:31 and Janis Schicks in 16:35.
Martin Mistelbauer and Julia Hauser 10 km winners
Former marathon national champion and M40 athlete Martin Mistelbauer (team2012.at) won the 10 km in a solo race in 31:25 minutes. Ali Dibo (TWG Zehnkampf Union) improved his personal best to 32:03 in second place ahead of Philipp Obermüller (Sportunion Bad Leonfelden) in 32:34 minutes.
Triathlete Julia Hauser was the fastest woman over 10 kilometres in a strong 34:50 minutes. Lucia Pelikanova from Slovakia in 35:41 and Nora Havlinova (DSG Vienna) in 38:03 took second and third place.
All events of the VCM Winter Running Series are AIMS-measured and part of the World Athletics Global Calendar.
