Mailu to lead stellar field in Vienna as organizers target course record

This year's men’s elite at the Vienna City Marathon promises to present an interesting mix of athletes with different time goals. 

Set for 23 April, part of the field will aim to break the long standing 2:05:41 course record while a number of other runners target the qualifying time set at 2:09.40 for the World Championships set for Budapest in August. 

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The course record was set back in 2014 when Ethiopia’s Getu Feleke clocked 2:05:41.

Kenya's Samwel Mailu, who ran his debut marathon in last year’s Frankfurt Marathon although he was only entered into the race as a pacemaker, makes his debut in Vienna with hopes of breaking the record. 

Mailu was set to pace for 30km in Frankfurt but carried on and managed a fine 2:07.19 debut to finish in second place.

However, he faces stiff competition from compatriot Charles Ndiema who returns after placing fourth last year with a personal best (PB) of 2:08:12. 

Kenya’s Elvis Cheboi and Abe Gashahun of Ethiopia have run fast half marathons of 59:14 and 59:46 respectively. While Cheboi will run his marathon debut in Vienna Gashahun will be eager to improve his marathon PB of 2:09:25. 

 After a period with injuries and below par performances Sondre Moen intends to bounce back at the Vienna City Marathon. 

The main goal for the Norwegian record holder, who ran a European record of 2:05:48 when sensationally winning the Fukuoka Marathon in 2017, will be to qualify for the World Championships. 

“I hope for a positive race in Vienna - physically as well as mentally," said the 32 year-old Scandinavian. “I plan to run a controlled race with a negative split. Last year was one to forget because of injuries. Now I want to have a good race experience again."

Another runner chasing World Championships qualifying time is Ser-Od Bat-Ochir from Mongolia. 

While the 41 year-old multiple national record holder ran the Mongolian marathon record of 2:08:50 back in 2014 in Fukuoka he broke 2:10 again in Otsu, Japan, two years ago where he ran 2:09:26. 

Ser-Od, has already participated in ten World Championships. He now wants to improve this record by qualifying for his eleventh start. Last year he finished 26th in Eugene. 

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He also has been an Olympic marathon runner five times, first competing at the Games in Athens in 2004.

"I opted for Vienna because the race is known for producing fast times and the level of the elite field will suit me," said the Mongolian.