Vienna City Marathon

Location: Vienna
Country: Austria
Website: https://www.vienna-marathon.com/?go=welcome
2025 Marathon Date: 06/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 19/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:08:28
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 500–999
Total Runners: 3k–10k

The Vienna City Marathon takes place each spring in Austria’s capital, offering a fast course and historic backdrop in one of Europe’s most elegant cities. With its mix of imperial architecture, broad boulevards and riverside running, the event blends cultural appeal with marathon-friendly design. It is Austria’s largest road race and has steadily built an international following among amateur runners.

The race begins near the United Nations building on the eastern edge of the city and crosses the Reichsbrücke bridge into central Vienna within the first few kilometres. From there, it follows a mostly flat and straightforward loop through the city, taking in landmarks such as the Vienna State Opera, the Schönbrunn Palace and the Prater park. The roads are wide and well-paved, with long straight sections and minimal sharp turns, supporting even pacing and consistent splits.

Weather in early to mid-April is typically cool and dry, with average race-day temperatures between 6–14°C. Wind is usually light, and rain is infrequent, making Vienna one of the more reliable spring options in terms of climate. The start is well-seeded, and the field spreads out quickly, reducing the risk of early congestion.

The event is known for efficient logistics, clearly marked signage and strong on-course support. Aid stations are frequent and well-organised, and there are dedicated pacing groups for a range of finishing targets, including sub-3. Spectator support is strongest in the central sections of the course and at the finish line near the historic Burgtheater.

For sub-3 marathoners, the Vienna City Marathon offers a combination of speed, scenery and structure. While the field size is manageable compared to the World Marathon Majors, the course quality and race-day execution are on par with many larger events. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a fast time on a well-designed course, without the crowding and complexity of the biggest city marathons. Vienna balances performance potential with cultural appeal, making it one of Europe’s most attractive spring marathons for serious amateurs.