FLASH PRESS RELEASE – 29^th VIENNA CITY MARATHON

 

Henry Sugut runs Austrian allcomer record

with 2:06:58 while Fate Tola defends her title,

Haile beats Paula in the OMV Champions Race

 

Henry Sugut won the 29^th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, clocking an Austrian allcomer record of 2:06:58. The 26 year-old Kenyan produced the best result of the day. In the womenÂ’s race Fate Tola (Ethiopia) defended her title in a time of 2:26:39. In the much anticipated OMV Champions Race Haile Gebrselassie clearly beat Paula Radcliffe. In fine but partly windy weather conditions the organisers of the Vienna City Marathon registered a record total of 36,157 runners.

 

The British world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe got a 7:52 minutes head start in the half marathon chase race against Haile Gebrselassie. EthiopiaÂ’s superstar quickly closed the gap significantly. Already after 15.3 k he overtook Paula Radcliffe, who had suffered of a bronchitis in the past two weeks. Haile Gebrselassie crossed the line in 60:52 minutes while Paula Radliffe could only manage 72:03.

 

But the performance of the day came in the men’s marathon, where Henry Sugut clocked the first sub 2:07 time in the history of the race and a personal best. The Kenyan, who had won the Vienna City Marathon already in 2010, finished in 2:06:58. Regarding the depth of the elite results Vienna saw the best marathon in the history of the event. Two Kenyans ran inside 2:08 and another two finished inside 2:09. Gilbert Yegon (2:07:38), defending champion  John Kiprotich (2:07:44), Gilbert Kirwa (2:08:09) and Willy Kibor (2:08:32) took the places behind Henry Sugut.

 

In the womenÂ’s race Fate Tola (Ethiopia) was in the lead from the start. The 24 year-old, who is a training partner of GermanyÂ’s marathon record holder Irina Mikitenko, clocked 2:26:39. In a close fight for second place RussiaÂ’s Olga Glok finished in 2:27:18 two seconds ahead of Helalia Johannes (Namibia/2:27:20).

 

For more information please visit: www.vienna-marathon.com

 

Please note: A more detailed press release with photos will follow in the afternoon.