1st VCM Winter Run
To optimally prepare you for the 43rd Vienna City Marathon on April 19, 2026, we are organizing several running events in Vienna: the VCM Winter Running Series. These events are a perfect opportunity to meet friends, strengthen your motivation and give your fitness a boost.
At the first event on December 14 we run 5 km and 10 km in the Prater Hauptallee. We look forward to seeing you!
Free Start Draw
We want to "reward" long-term registration & preparation for the Vienna City Marathon. Therefore, among all "VCM Winter Runners" who are already registered for the Marathon or Wiener Städtische Half Marathon at VCM 2026 by December 1, we raffle off 100 starting places for the run on December 14 as announced. The winners will receive a refund of the entry fee before the event.
The VCM Winter Running Series is a proud partner of Erste Bank Sparkasse Running.
Show what your crew can do!
At every event in the VCM Winter Running Series, we count which group, club or community has the most active runners at the start.We celebrate the three largest teams after each race and at the end we crown the ‘Crew of the Winter Season 2025/26’. The top 3 teams in the entire series will receive cash prizes (500 | 300 | 200 euros) and a VIP table as well as tickets for the VCM After Race Party on 19 April 2026.
To participate, each runner must provide their community name when registering (no company teams).
Look forward to Christmas atmosphere at this run. There's a small surprise for all finishers - while supplies last.
All VCM Winter Runs are officially AIMS-measured and part of the World Athletics Global Calendar.
Information status June 2025. Subject to change.
Distance: 5 km & 10 km
Start Time 5K: 10:00 AM
Start Time 10K: 11:10 AM
Start & Finish: Prater Hauptallee, Meiereistraße area
5K 11:00 AM
10K 12:45 AM
To run once for 5 km, twice for 10 km.
Entry Fee 5 km: € 20 (Children & Youth rate up to 15 years € 10,-)
Entry Fee 10 km: € 25
Members of the “Vorteilsclub der Stadt Wien” (City of Vienna Benefits Club) receive a 20% discount on the entry fee, as long as starting places are available, until the Wednesday before the race at the latest. Valid for one online registration. No discount on children's and youth rates. The discount link is only visible to logged-in members. The discount cannot be redeemed retroactively on existing registrations.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 11:59 PM
Registration deadline for starting place lottery: Sunday, December 1, 2025, 11:59 PM
Late registration - if starting places are still available:
€ 25 or € 30 (only card payment possible).
Start & Finish
- We are using the great facilities of Rugby Union Donau Wien as the home base for the VCM Winter Run.
- The entrance is located at Meiereistraße 20, 1020 Vienna, right by the Hauptallee and the Stadionbad parking lot.
- Last-minute bib collection on Sunday, medals, finish refreshments, awards ceremony and great atmosphere after the run: Everything in one place!
- Changing rooms & showers are available for you there. Rooms are unlocked. No liability for loss or theft.
- Start & Finish will be directly on Prater Hauptallee, close to the Meiereistraße crossing, a bit towards the Ferris wheel, as in the 2024/25 season.
- The start will be somewhat narrow, enabling a more even "flow" of all runners onto the course.
- Position yourself according to your running pace at the start lineup.
- The running route itself remains completely the same.
- How to get there: You can come by subway U2 (Stadium), by bicycle or by car (Stadionbad parking lot)
- Winner ceremonies at the Rugby Union facility - for the top 3 men & women | 5 km & 10 km. No age group awards.
Are you already registered?
Here you can check your registration!
Bib Collection:
adidas Store Mariahilfer Straße 71
Thursday, December 11, 3-7 PM
Friday, December 12, 3-7 PM
Pick up your number on Thursday or Friday! This way you avoid long queues on race day in the morning.
Last-Minute Bib Collection:
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 8-9:30 AM
At the Rugby Union Donau Wien facility right at the start/finish area
Net timing with RFID chip in the bib number. You cannot use your own chip and don't need to rent a chip either.
Order your VCM Winter Run Medal!
Price: € 5
Order: until registration deadline of the respective event together with registration or via link in your registration confirmation.
The VCM Winter Run Medal is a great keepsake for your run. The VCM Winter Run Medal is made in Lower Austria and produced from regional wood. This way we offer a resource-saving and sustainable keepsake.
Important: There are no additional orders on site! If you want to receive a medal, you must pre-order it.
The top 3 in the overall ranking of each race will receive their VCM Winter Run Medal regardless of an order at the awards ceremony.