Running enthusiasm on a new level: Wiener Symphoniker and 42 VCM participants perform together in one orchestra
The Vienna City Marathon (VCM) is taking running enthusiasm to a new level on April 18 and 19. Over this weekend, Vienna celebrates a festival of sport and togetherness - along the course and beyond.
A special highlight is the “Concert for the Marathon”: the Vienna Symphony Orchestra will perform together with VCM participants in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna, creating a unique prelude to marathon weekend. Tickets for the concert on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 AM are available at www.vienna-marathon.com
and via www.wienersymphoniker.at in the Musikverein shop.
In its 43rd edition, Austria’s largest active sports event is recording a new participation record, with around 49,000 registrations expected from across Austria and 148 nations. A special focus is on youth: the children’s and youth race program is being extended, with the new Princess & Prince Run as a highlight. Registration remains open for the children’s events The Daily Mile 800 and 1600, as well as for the Vienna 5K and the new Tchibo Coffee Run 10K.
Concert for the Marathon: Vienna runs on music!
The Wiener Symphoniker together with VCM participants in one orchestra: this performance opens marathon weekend on Saturday, April 18 in a truly unique way. The “Concert for the Marathon” begins at 11:00 AM in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna. In the world capital of music, the marathon becomes a truly special experience.
What makes it unique: runners taking part in a VCM event had the opportunity to apply with music videos to perform alongside members of the renowned orchestra. Numerous high-quality submissions were received and reviewed. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra selected 42 runner-musicians for this concert premiere - including Aaron Gruen, Austria’s marathon record holder, who will perform selected pieces on the cello.
The musicians will present works by Strauss, Schubert, Brahms, Suppé, and Lehár - creating the perfect warm-up for the Vienna City Marathon.
Tobias Wögerer, conductor of the concert and a marathon runner himself, says: “The most exciting aspect of this concert is bringing together very different participants in one orchestra. In this form, it is a world premiere. The performance and its setting will generate a unique energy and joy. The Concert to the Marathon shows that music and sport are not opposites, but complement each other beautifully.”
Encounter, togetherness, shared enthusiasm
The collaboration between two major Viennese institutions - the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna City Marathon - has developed step by step over several years. From workplace health initiatives to a Vienna Symphony playlist, a hotspot at the Lusthaus on marathon Sunday, and a dedicated VCM fanfare, this journey has now led to the Concert to the Marathon.
Martin Rainer, clarinetist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and composer of the VCM fanfare, says: “It is a great joy that my fanfare accompanies the highlights of the Vienna City Marathon. In music as in elite sport, it’s about dedication, discipline, and the determination to deliver at the crucial moment. Both professional musicians and athletes work for years toward just a few hours or minutes where they can show what they are capable of. That’s the feeling I wanted to capture in my composition. At the same time, both worlds share something fundamental: music and sport are open to everyone - regardless of origin, age, or personal background. They create spaces for encounter, togetherness, and shared enthusiasm.”
Voices from the participants
Anna Holzmann, who will play the oboe and run the marathon the next day:
“Music and sport are two passions that inspire me and that I pursue with ambition. When I saw this concert opportunity, I immediately knew I wanted to apply. Right now I’m focusing more on running training, but I’m confident I’ll perform my pieces well. In both, you need to stay focused in the moment and not get thrown off if something doesn’t go perfectly - just keep going.”
Iva Steirer from Krems, violinist and marathon runner:
“I’ve been playing the violin longer than I’ve been running. Running a marathon was a personal goal of mine. After I achieved it, my husband told me about the chance to play with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the VCM - on the condition that I run another marathon. I’m doing that now with great joy. During training, I listen to a playlist of the concert pieces - the perfect combination of running and music.”
Alexander Vojta, clarinetist and Vienna 5K participant:
“When you see musicians embracing after a concert because they succeeded together, and compare that to runners congratulating each other at the finish line, you quickly realize how much sport and music have in common. You do something with passion, joy, and in harmony with others.”
Top marathon runner Andreas Vojta supports his father Alexander in his running preparation:
“Good equipment is important, as well as training with the right balance. Especially in the final weeks, you shouldn’t try to push everything to the limit, but arrive at the race with energy. That probably applies to the concert as well.”
Regarding his own preparation for the VCM on April 19, he says: “I’m in good shape. Some key training sessions are still ahead. I hope I can put everything into practice - I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere at my home race.”
Concert details
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Start: 11:00 AM
Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna
Vienna Symphony Orchestra with VCM participants
Conductor: Tobias Wögerer
Duration: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
Facts
VCM participants could apply with a music video to join the orchestra.
Numerous high-quality applications were submitted.
Section leaders of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra selected the participants.
The orchestra consists of 42 runner-musicians and 40 orchestra members.
More than half will run the full marathon.
The musicians come from across Austria and 13 different nations.
All participants have received their sheet music and are rehearsing.
The orchestra will meet in person for the first time at rehearsal on Friday, April 17.
Among the participants
Aaron Gruen: Austrian marathon record holder, cellist, and elite marathon starter
Keith Gruen: Aaron’s father, clarinetist, and half marathon runner
Alexander Vojta: clarinetist and Vienna 5K participant, father of Austrian top marathon runner Andreas Vojta
Program
Franz von Suppé: Overture to Light Cavalry
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor
Franz Schubert: Entr’acte III from Rosamunde
Franz Lehár: “Ballsirenen” Waltz from The Merry Widow
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to La Clemenza di Tito
Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube, Op. 314
Josef Strauss: Sport-Polka, Op. 170
Johann Schrammel: Wien bleibt Wien
Duration: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
