MarathonGuide.com Logo - Marathon Directory, Marathons, Marathon Results, News and More Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor facebook icon  twitter icon
Site Map
 
   Marathon Press Releases
Press Releases Home
Vienna City Marathon: Information & Reviews | News |
 

Press Release - Vienna City Marathon - 9/13/21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
       Vibian Cepkirui: From sleeping on the floor in Doha to triumph 
                         in Vienna within three days                 

Sunday's comeback race of the Vienna City Marathon had everything you can 
get from the classic event: Triumph, joy, fun, jubilant scenes, dejection, 
ups and downs for elite and fun runners. As Swiss record holder Tadesse 
Abraham, who finished seventh in 2:12:26 and was happy with his race in hot 
weather conditions, had put it in the press conference before the race with 
regard to his own situation: "This is sport, there are always ups and 
downs." Marathon races always provide plenty of proof for that.

The 38th edition of the Vienna City Marathon delivered a great comeback for 
major international city marathon running during the pandemic. One of the 
stories of the day written in Austria's capital was that of Vibian 
Chepkirui, who won her debut marathon in 2:24:29. 

The 27 year-old Kenyan was clearly not among the hot favorites when she 
arrived in Vienna. She had never run a marathon before and in the past 
twelve months Vibian Chepkirui was only able to compete in a single 
international race due to the corona pandemic. It was a 10,000 m track 
event in Stockholm, where she finished eighth with a personal best of 
31:09.42. 

"It was a tough time because of Corona. I tried to qualify for the Olympics 
in Stockholm, but I did not manage. After that I decided to concentrate on 
a marathon," said Vibian Chepkirui, whose half marathon PB of 69:09 did not 
indicate either that something spectacular might be on the cards for her in 
Vienna. 

Additionally she had to cope with a major obstacle on her way to Vienna. 
Flying via Doha from Nairobi Vibian Chepkirui and a group of Kenyan runners 
- among them Vienna's men's winner Leonard Langat as well - missed their 
connecting flight. The plane from Kenya had been delayed. "They were stuck 
in Doha and the airline did not care. So they had to sleep on the floor," 
explained Vibian Chepkirui's coach Julien di Maria. "Obviously this is not 
ideal two days before a marathon."

Despite all this Vibian Chepkirui ran a brilliant marathon debut and 
dominated a strong field. At 30 k she was well in the lead and her split 
time of 1:40:37 pointed towards a 2:21:30 finish, well inside the course 
record of 2:22:12. "I was surprised to win the race, but I started to 
believe by the half way mark. Of course this is the biggest win in my 
career," said Vibian Chepkirui, whose husband Wesley Kangogo was her 
pacemaker. "The heat was a problem though. In cooler conditions I could 
have run at least two minutes faster. Additionally I got problems with a 
calf muscle with around four kilometres to go." She finally finished in 
2:24:29. 

It was only in 2020 when Vibian Chepkirui ran her first international 
races. She clocked her half marathon PB in Prague, the home of her 
management group Ikaika. In Kenya she trains in Iten and one of her 
training partners is the three-time winner of the Vienna City Marathon and 
course record holder Nancy Kiprop. Vienna's record winner could not return 
to the race due to a back injury. "Nancy gave me advice on Vienna. I was 
trying to break her course record," said Vibian Chepkirui, hoping that both 
of them will be on the start line at the next Vienna City Marathon on 24 
April 2022. One thing is sure: They will avoid flying to Vienna via Doha.

More information is available at: www.vienna-marathon.com
 
                                    ###

 

Some Ads

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser



All material Copyright ©2000-2024 MarathonGuide.com LLC (MarathonGuide.com). All rights Reserved.
Please Contact Us for more information.

MarathonGuide.com makes no representations as to the accuracy of information on this site or its suitability for any use. | privacy policy | refund policy