2nd VCM Winter Run

Start your preparation for VCM 2026 with the VCM Winter Running Series!

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 second event on January 25 we run 5 km, 10 km, 15 km and a half marathon 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 January 6, we raffle off 100 starting places for the run on January 25. The winners will be notified and 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).

We look forward to seeing you!

All VCM Winter Runs are officially AIMS-measured and part of the World Athletics Global Calendar. 

Information status June 2025. Subject to change.
 
Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
Distances: 5 km | 10 km | 15 km | 21.1 km
Start Time 5K/10K: 10:00 AM 
Start Time 15K/HM: 11:40 AM 
 
Start & Finish: Hauptallee, Meiereistraße area
Finish Cutoff 5K/10K: 11:30 AM
Finish Cutoff 15K/HM: 02:30 PM
Route: Hauptallee towards Lusthaus > Around the Lusthaus > Hauptallee towards Praterstern > Turning point > back to finish.
1 lap = 5 km
To run 1x, 2x or 3x 
Additionally extended 4th lap for the half marathon.
Click on the image to enlarge it. 

Entry Fee 5km | 10km: € 25 (Children & Youth rate up to 15 years € 13,-)
Entry Fee 15 km | HM: € 35

Flexible choice at 5K & 10K as well as at 15K & half marathon: You can still decide during the race, which distance you would like to complete. 

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: 
As long as starting places are available, but until Wednesday at the latest, January 21, 2026, 11:59 PM
Registration deadline for starting place lottery: Monday, January 6, 2026, 11:59 PM 

 

Start & Finish

  • We are using the great facilities of Rugby Union Donau Wien as 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. 
  • The changing rooms are unlocked and there are no lockers. No liability for loss or theft. Leave valuables at home.
  • 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.  This way we can use fixed power from Rugby Union and avoid the energy-intensive use of generators. 
  • The start will be designed in a somewhat narrow way, enabling a more even flow of all runners onto the course.
  • Position yourself in the start lineup according to your running pace.
    - 4-5 min/km 
    - 5-6 min/km 
    - 6-8 min/km
  • The running route itself remains completely the same. 
  • Note the extended 4th lap for half marathon runners.
  • How to get there: by subway U2 (Stadium), by bicycle or by car (Stadionbad parking lot)
  • Awards ceremony: at the Rugby Union facility for the top 3 men & women in all four events. Overall ranking only, no age group awards. 
     

 

Bib Collection

adidas Store Mariahilfer Straße 71
Friday, January 23, 3-7 PM
Saturday, January 24, 10 AM-2 PM

Pick up your number on Friday or Saturday! This way you save time on Sunday morning. 


Last-Minute Bib Collection:
 
Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 8:00 AM until 30 minutes before the start
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. 

 

Late registration - if starting places are still available: € 25 or € 35 (only card payment possible).
   


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.

Register Now