Vienna City Marathon
Vienna City Marathon race day weather
Mild temps, watch for headwinds
Runners will face temperatures starting at 51°F and rising to 58°F, with average humidity at 58%. A moderate headwind will affect segments from miles 5-21, particularly challenging during the exposed stretches. Runners should adjust their pace during those miles, utilizing the tailwind from miles 2-3 and 16-20 to their advantage.
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Vienna City Marathon route and elevation
The Vienna City Marathon course has about 294 ft (90 m) of climbing and 258 ft (79 m) of descent, a net rise of about 36 ft (11 m). It is hillier than 51% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. It has no steep miles: no mile climbs more than 45 ft (14 m).
Biggest climbs
- Miles 3.6 to 11.1: climbs about 150 ft (46 m).
- Miles 22.2 to 25.6: climbs about 75 ft (22 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:30:50 here (50 seconds slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:01 here (1 minute slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:31 here (1 minute slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 ft | 49 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:09 |
| 2 | 6 ft | 6 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 3 | 1 ft | 5 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 4 | 16 ft | 10 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:18 |
| 5 | 13 ft | 11 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 6 | 27 ft | 10 ft | 8:06 | 9:15 | 10:25 |
| 7 | 34 ft | 15 ft | 8:08 | 9:17 | 10:26 |
| 8 | 20 ft | 6 ft | 8:05 | 9:14 | 10:24 |
| 9 | 23 ft | 3 ft | 8:08 | 9:18 | 10:27 |
| 10 | 45 ft | 0 ft | 8:20 | 9:32 | 10:44 |
| 11 | 28 ft | 8 ft | 8:08 | 9:18 | 10:27 |
| 12 | 12 ft | 26 ft | 7:55 | 9:02 | 10:11 |
| 13 | 20 ft | 61 ft | 7:48 | 8:56 | 10:02 |
| 14 | 9 ft | 72 ft | 7:44 | 8:50 | 9:56 |
| 15 | 12 ft | 20 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 16 | 19 ft | 17 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 17 | 9 ft | 24 ft | 7:55 | 9:03 | 10:10 |
| 18 | 2 ft | 3 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:15 |
| 19 | 10 ft | 12 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 20 | 2 ft | 4 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 21 | 1 ft | 3 ft | 7:57 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 22 | 5 ft | 6 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 23 | 20 ft | 11 ft | 8:03 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 24 | 19 ft | 15 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 25 | 32 ft | 4 ft | 8:12 | 9:22 | 10:33 |
| 26 | 35 ft | 6 ft | 8:12 | 9:24 | 10:34 |
| Last 0.2 | 0 ft | 9 ft | 1:45 | 1:59 | 2:14 |
Explore the Vienna City Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
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Race weekend
Tips from Runners
From 8 race reports by runners: what worked for them, not official race information.
Plan for the late Prater out and back as the hardest part of the day. Keep some effort in reserve for the long straight past mile 24, because you can see runners and markers ahead and the road is empty.
Line up in the block that matches your goal, since the first kilometers after the Danube bridge are packed. Expect to weave past slower runners on the bridge, and don't burn energy chasing gaps.
Watch your feet on Mariahilfer Strasse. A 2017 runner found tram tracks to dodge there, so keep your stride short and look ahead.
Trust the km markers over your watch late in the race. A 2022 runner's watch ran well ahead of the markers by the end, and there is no painted line to follow.
- Plan for the late Prater out and back as the hardest part of the day. Keep some effort in reserve for the long straight past mile 24, because you can see runners and markers ahead and the road is empty.
- Line up in the block that matches your goal, since the first kilometers after the Danube bridge are packed. Expect to weave past slower runners on the bridge, and don't burn energy chasing gaps.
- Watch your feet on Mariahilfer Strasse. A 2017 runner found tram tracks to dodge there, so keep your stride short and look ahead.
- Trust the km markers over your watch late in the race. A 2022 runner's watch ran well ahead of the markers by the end, and there is no painted line to follow.
Vienna City Marathon FAQ
When is the 2027 Vienna City Marathon?
Is the Vienna City Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?
What will the weather be like for the 2027 Vienna City Marathon?
What is the elevation gain of the Vienna City Marathon?
Is the Vienna City Marathon flat?
What is the weather usually like for the Vienna City Marathon?
What was the hottest Vienna City Marathon?
What was the windiest Vienna City Marathon?
Vienna City Marathon reviews and race reports
Flat park miles and loud Ringstrasse crowds, but the late Prater out and back drags.
The second trip through the Prater — The course comes back into the Prater late and runs to the far end and back. Runners called it monotonous and mentally brutal, and the road is quiet until you return to the city.
Crowds in the Prater and on the Ringstrasse — The first pass through the Prater has lots of spectators. The Ringstrasse has bands and cheerleaders, and one runner called the crowds coming back into the center some of the best on this course.
Out to Schönbrunn Palace and back — The middle of the race runs out to the palace and back into town, where the half marathon runners split off. A gradual downhill leads to that split.
Felt comfortable despite freezing weather, loved the course
I was initially worried about the chilly conditions but felt surprisingly comfortable once warmed up. I opted for a base layer, heavier long sleeve shirt, leggings + shorts, and a few extras which only slightly reduced my shaking in the first couple of km (light wind breaker, neck tube, gloves). The course was amazing overall, I found it easier and way more interesting than Manchester which I have completed twice before.
Felt strong and in control through the challenging middle miles
Weather was perfect this time around. about 12C at 09:00, cloudy and rising to around 16C at midday. I started off in Group 2 and we got going about 09:10. I was feeling good, watching my pace really closely and keeping spot on race pace. just trying to relax, look at the crowds and smile as much as possible - knowing this is the easiest bit so might as well enjoy it.
Frustratingly close to sub-3 despite ankle pain
Crossed in 3:00:13, which is so frustratingly close. I also ran 42,7 km, which means that the actual marathon distance was below 3, but this of course doesn't count.
Struggled with cramps in the final kilometers but finished strong
The last 7km felt absolutely horrible. Everytime I tried to get my pace closer to 5:00, my whole lower body just cramped up. At this point I was super afraid of having to drop out of the race and I felt like I'd have to puke soon multiple times, but thankfully it never got quite to that point. I barely managed to keep my pace under 5:30.
Decided to run the full marathon after initially planning for a half.
At 8k, I knew I had a good day, I had felt worse on my last half marathon. So I called my mom to inform her that I'll be a while, she first assumed she needed to pick me up somewhere, but I told her I was going for the full one and where she should meet me. I knew I couldn't run the first half too slow and think I'd be golden only to later realize I wasn't up for the full one.