Preparations Underway for the 42nd Vienna City Marathon

The 42nd edition of the Vienna City Marathon is set to take place on April 6, 2025, with preparations commencing on March 31. This major sporting event will feature a marathon route stretching 42 kilometers from Reichsbrücke to Burgtheater, alongside an exciting five-kilometer course on the Ringstraße in the city center. An anticipated 45,000 participants are expected to participate in this year's event, marking a record for the marathon.

This year's marathon promises to be the most resource-efficient yet, integrating seamlessly into the urban environment without extensive construction or land sealing. The event will also include a world record attempt in waltz dancing. Spectators are expected to line the marathon route, with around 400,000 people anticipated to create a vibrant atmosphere. There will be 50 cheering zones featuring live bands, drummers, and music hotspots to energize the runners.

Public viewing areas will be set up at key locations, including the Opera, the Parliament, and the finish line, allowing fans to follow the race live. Along the route, runners will encounter multiple amenities such as drink stations, relay handover points, stages, video screens, and more activities than ever before, turning Vienna into a festive sports hub.

A dedicated team of approximately 2,500 volunteers will support various operational areas, including race number distribution, refreshment stations, and baggage transport. The setup for this significant event will commence early in the morning on March 31, with logistics managed by a team of over 900 personnel from around 100 different suppliers, handling approximately 150 tons of material. Safety measures will include the installation of 20 kilometers of barriers to ensure the safety of both participants and spectators.

In the days leading up to the marathon, 80 tents and pavilions will be erected, and crucial logistical arrangements will be coordinated. The setup for the Vienna Sports World, Austria's largest sports and leisure exhibition, will also begin on March 31. This exhibition will feature a range of exhibitors from sports, tourism, clothing, nutrition, and leisure industries, and will take place at the Marx Halle starting April 4.

As part of the preparations, 3,500 traffic signs, hundreds of seating arrangements, and 192,000 safety pins for race numbers will be delivered by Thursday. Notably, large LED screens and the Powerade Tower will be constructed, offering a viewing platform for spectators at the finish line. Mobile shower facilities will also be available for runners post-race.

Final touches will be made starting Thursday, with technical checks, finalizing barriers, and preparing the finish area for a polished presentation. A final rehearsal for timing and course security will ensure everything functions smoothly on race day.

On Friday evening, the striking finish line arch will be installed, with work continuing into the night to ensure readiness for race day. The Vienna Sports World will kick off events on April 4, offering a diverse program including health checks at a Medical Center, a meeting point for running specialists, and special features like the Boombox Runners. Race number distribution will be facilitated by 120 students and 5 instructors from the Vienna Business School Mödling, with extended operational hours from 9 AM to 7 PM on both days, and admission will be free.