Temperature 2, excitement 100: enthusiasm for running took off at the 2nd VCM Winter Run, despite the January fog.
It was time to ‘get started’ on Prater Hauptallee twelve weeks before the Vienna City Marathon on 19 April. Many of the registered 1,600 participants used the event to prepare for this major goal in a great atmosphere. The Prater Hauptallee, a world heritage site for athletics, once again proved to be a great running location also in winter.
All finishers were rewarded at the finish line with carnival doughnuts and refreshments, as well as non-alcoholic Stiegl beer and BeKind muesli bars.
Congratulations to all finishers!
Thank you to everyone, who contributed to the event!
Tempo run crowned with Austrian best time
Cordula Lassacher (ATUS Knittelfeld) underlined her potential in long-distance running over 15 kilometres with a new Austrian (ÖLV) best time of 51:02 minutes. "The last five kilometres were really tough. I'm very satisfied. The temperatures were fine, and the forecast rain didn't materialise. It was a brisk tempo run in preparation for the Vienna Calling Half Marathon on 8 March. After that, my focus this season will be on the 10,000 metres," said the 22-year-old from Styria. With her performance, she also broke the event record for the VCM Winter Running Series, which was last set by Lisa Reisch (DSG Wien) in January 2024 with a time of 54:36 minutes.
Austrian Athletics does not keep official records for the 15 kilometres. The previous best performance was achieved 25 years ago by Verena Lechner with 52:16 minutes at the Road Running National Championships on 12 May 1990 in Wolfsberg. Unofficially, Julia Mayer had already run faster with a split time of 50:34 minutes during the Barcelona Half Marathon.
10 km fitness test successful
Larissa Matz (ULC Riverside Mödling) put in a strong performance in the 10 km race, finishing in 33:52 minutes. "I'm very happy. I had to fight hard and I'm glad I pulled through. The wind made it very cold in places towards Lusthaus," said the law student, who finished seventh in the half marathon at the 2025 Universiade in 1:13:54. In the middle of her university exams, she passed the fitness test with flying colours. Paul Scheucher was the clear winner in the men's race in 31:10 minutes.
Bauernfeind wanted more, half marathon winners from Hungary and Slovakia
Marathon national champion Mario Bauernfeind (ProTeam Vienna) equalled his personal best as 5 km winner in 14:26 minutes. "I would have liked to have run 10-15 seconds faster. So in that sense, I'm not happy. Now I'm starting my marathon preparation and looking forward to warmer temperatures." Germany's Linda Meier (LG Passau) had a strong race as the women's winner in 16:27 minutes.
In the half marathon, runners from neighbouring countries celebrated strong victories. Vitarius Bence from Hungary celebrated as the winner in 1:09:46 hours. Veronika Palenikova from Slovakia was successful in 1:16:02 hours.
Because running is increasingly driven by teams and communities, the groups with the most participants were honoured on the podium: Vienna Running Collective (22), Team Vegan (12) and LTC Seewinkel (7) made it onto the podium – in exactly the same order as at the 1st VCM Winter Run in December. The favourites have clearly positioned themselves for the overall ranking of the ‘Crews of the Winter Season’.
Vienna Calling!
In six weeks, on 8 March, the 3rd VCM Winter Run will be a highlight on the road to the Vienna City Marathon, with the half marathon starting on the Reichsbrücke.
>> Register here!
- Vienna Calling Half Marathon - Start Reichsbrücke
- 1 Mile, 5 km & 10 km - Prater Hauptallee
The WLV Championships (Vienna Athletics Association) will also be held over the half marathon distance as part of the event.
New this year is a road mile race: ideal for young athletes and families to get in the mood for the VCM junior races, as well as for anyone who wants to feel the speed and try their hand at this classic distance of 1,609 metres.
