“Linz is no longer imaginable without the marathon”

A great atmosphere in the audience, perfect conditions for the runners and a new course record – all of Linz was dominated yesterday by the 20th Linz Danube Marathon – an anniversary that the organizers could not have wished for better. “The initial fog on the Voest Bridge was quickly forgotten, and when the marathon runners crossed the finish line, the sun was already shining on the main square,” said the mayor Klaus Luger, who completed the first stage of the running course yesterday as a relay runner. “I ran with three women and was the quota man. It was really a great running spectacle for the whole of Linz.”

The governor is also looking forward to the upcoming Linz running festival, which will take place on April 16, 2023 in the state capital Thomas Stelzer already: “For Linz, this year’s marathon is a real celebration. I didn’t run this time myself, but I only see beaming faces on the main square and can only congratulate everyone. Maybe I’ll start in April too.”

Twenty years ago, no one could have foreseen that the marathon, which the OÖ Nachrichten were also instrumental in founding, could develop into such a sensational running festival. “You can see again this year: Records are broken and the joy of doing sport together prevails. In the meantime, Linz can no longer be imagined without the marathon,” says the editor-in-chief Suzanne Dickstein convinced.

Oberbank General Director was able to claim a personal best time at the half marathon Franz Gasselsberger happy yesterday: “It was just great and the weather played along. Above all, I noticed again: The Urfahraner are really the most loyal supporters on the run course when you get the first kilometers behind you. Just great.”

The Deputy Mayor of Linz could agree with these words Karin Hoerzing just join, who was also at the start as a relay runner: “I was overwhelmed by the audience, who cheered on the runners along the route until the end and thus also carried them to the finish.”

The reward for the marathon weekend was for the head of organization Gunther Weidlinger one thing in particular: a new course record of two hours six minutes and 13 seconds by the Ethiopian Fikre Bekele: “We’ve wanted a new course record for a long time and that’s just for the 20th anniversary. That rounds off the victory again.”

Also Borealis boss Jurgen Maderwho took part in the relay race himself, was very impressed by the best times: “I also spoke to the winner myself and congratulated him. But one thing can be clearly felt in every individual who took part in the competitions: the great joy in movement.”