Vibian Chepkirui breaks course record, Cosmas Muteti wins in Vienna!

Vibian Chepkirui takes Vienna Marathon, photo by VCM / Herbert Neubauer

Cosmas Muteti takes the Vienna Marathon, photo by VCM/ Herbert Neubauer

The 2022 Vienna City Marathon happened April 24, 2022. Two fine races, and a weekend of races, with 32,000 runners from 100 countries. This piece comes from the press release.

Vibian Chepkirui breaks course record, Cosmas Muteti wins in Vienna

Vibian Chepkirui defended her title and smashed the course record at the Vienna City Marathon. The Kenyan won with 2:20:59 after a close battle with fellow Kenyan Ruth Chebitok, who finished second at 2:21:03. Sheila Jerotich made it to an all-Kenyan podium, taking third place in 2:23:01.

Cosmas Muteti won the men’s race at 2:06:53, which is the second-fastest time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon. Fellow Kenyan Leonard Langat was second in 2:06:59 and Eritrea’s Oqbe Kibrom followed in third at 2:07:25. Although there was no course record in the men’s race the wider top results were the best ever in the history of the event. There have never been two results below 2:07 before in Vienna. And seven times sub 2:10 is also a record for Austria’s prime road race.

A total of 32,000 runners from about 100 nations had registered for the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, including events at shorter distances. Around 8,000 of them competed in the marathon. The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s biggest sporting event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.

Men’s Race

There was good pacemaking with an even pace in the men’s race for a long time although the 2:05:41 course record was never really threatened. A group of 17 runners, including the three pacers, passed halfway in 63:21 and then went on to a 30k split time of 1:30:12. However, when the pacers all dropped out at the same time right after the 30k point, the race for victory was on immediately. It was Oqbe Kibrom who surged ahead instantly. The fastest runner on the start list (PB: 2:05:53) seemed on course for the first Eritrean victory in the history of the race. However with kilometer splits of 2:54 and 2:51 for the 31st and 32k Oqbe Kibrom misjudged his potential, and the picture changed.

“I knew he was strong. But I decided not to go with him at 30k and run my own pace instead. I hoped to close the gap slowly,” explained Cosmas Muteti, who soon realized that he did gain ground on the leader. With around five kilometers to go the Kenyan, who is partly coached by former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau and was fifth in Berlin last September, caught Oqbe Kibrom and then moved away from him.

In the final stages, fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat took second place and made up some ground for the leader. “I knew that he was coming nearer, but I was sure to win as I would have been able to put in a sprint if needed,” said Cosmas Muteti, who wrote history by becoming the 50th runner of the Vienna City Marathon to achieve a sub 2:10 finish. “This is my biggest victory. I hope to be able to defend my title here next year and then maybe break the course record,” said Cosmas Muteti, who improved his former PB of 2:08:45 by almost two minutes.

Austrian’s Lemawork Ketema was the best European runner in Vienna with a 2:15:42 finishing time in 13th place. However, he missed the qualifying standard for the European Championships.

Women’s Race

In relatively good weather conditions but with some wind the women’s race developed differently. Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui, who ran only her second marathon after her Vienna debut triumph in 2021, broke away after eight kilometers. At the 10k mark, she had a split time of 33:11 which pointed to a 2:20 finishing time. She was six seconds ahead of fellow Kenyans Ruth Chebitok and Viola Yator. For an unexpected reason, the 27-year-old was then not able to maintain this pace. “My husband and pacemaker Wesley Kongogo had a problem with his shoes and got a blister, so he slowed a bit,” explained Vibian Chepkirui. While she had a lead of nine seconds at halfway, which she passed in 70:38, she was unable to significantly increase it. In contrast, Ruth Chebitok, who had left behind Viola Yator after the halfway mark, made up the deficit and was running right behind the defending champion at 35k.

Vibian Chepkirui stayed ahead by a step in the final section. It was with around one kilometer to go at Vienna’s Opera House when she increased the pace again and secured her second Vienna marathon victory. “I am, of course, very happy to have won again in Vienna. I want to come back next year, and then my goal will be to improve to 2:18,” said Vibian Chepkirui, who ran 2:24:29 in her debut last September in warm conditions.

Slovenia’s Neja Krsinar was the fastest European runner in Vienna. She finished eighth in 2:35:30.

Results, Men:

1. Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:06:53

2. Leonard Langat KEN 2:06:59

3. Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:07:25

4. Charles Ndiema KEN 2:08:12

5. Raymond Chose KEN 2:08:32

6. Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:10

7. Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:09:55

8. Abdi Fufa ETH 2:10:32

9. Abraham Kipyatich KEN 2:10:51

10. Mike Chesire KEN 2:11:32

Women:

1. Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:20:59

2. Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:21:03

3. Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:23:01

4. Urge Soboka ETH 2:27:13

5. Caroline Kilel KEN 2:29:29

6. Viola Yator KEN 2:30:40

7. Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:31:44

8. Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:30

9. Kellys Arias COL 2:38:28

10. Chaltu Marame ETH 2:38:34

For more information, please visit www.vienna-marathon.com or contact Andreas Maier (Press Officer): andreas@vienna-marathon.com