Vienna, Austria

Vienna City Marathon

Sunday, April 19, 2026
Mostly Flat
Open Registration

Course Profile

Difficulty
Mostly Flat
Terrainroad
Elevation Gain90m
Elevation Loss90m

Fast urban course through Vienna's historic center. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Passes imperial palaces and along the Danube.

Typical Weather

Temperature7°C - 17°C
Humiditymoderate

Variable spring weather. Can range from cool and overcast to warm and sunny. Generally good conditions for running.

Registration

Entry TypeOpen Registration
Typically HeldThird or fourth Sunday in April

Open registration without lottery or qualification requirement. Early registration recommended as the race is popular. Over 40,000 participants.

Official Website

What Makes This Race Special

  • 1
    Run past Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna State Opera
  • 2
    Course along the beautiful Danube River
  • 3
    Imperial Habsburg architecture throughout
  • 4
    Excellent Austrian organization
  • 5
    Fast, flat course suitable for PBs

The Vienna City Marathon is a journey through Habsburg imperial grandeur. Running past palaces, opera houses, and along the blue Danube, Vienna offers a culturally rich marathon experience with Austrian precision in organization and a fast, flat course.

The Course

The Vienna course showcases the city's imperial heritage while providing an honest, fast marathon route. Starting near the United Nations complex, the course loops through the city center before finishing near the historic Rathaus (City Hall).

Imperial Vienna

The course passes Vienna's most magnificent landmarks:

  • UN City/Danube Island (Start) - Modern Vienna
  • Prater (miles 2-6) - Vienna's famous park and amusement area
  • Ringstrasse (miles 8-12) - Grand boulevard circling the old city
  • Vienna State Opera (mile 9) - World-famous opera house
  • Schönbrunn Palace (miles 15-17) - Habsburg summer residence
  • Mariahilfer Strasse (mile 22) - Vienna's main shopping street
  • Rathaus (Finish) - Gothic city hall

Course Profile

Vienna is predominantly flat, with the only significant variation coming from gentle rollers in the Prater park area and around Schönbrunn Palace. The course is well-suited for even pacing and personal bests.

Why Vienna?

Vienna combines marathon running with world-class culture. The race itself is impeccably organized (as you'd expect from Austria), while the city offers incredible museums, cafes, and music venues for pre- and post-race exploration.

The April timing and Central European location make Vienna an accessible goal race for European runners and an attractive destination for international visitors.

Getting In

Vienna uses straightforward open registration:

  • Registration typically opens in summer for the following April's race
  • No lottery or qualification required
  • Popular among European runners, so early registration is advised
  • Multiple distances available including marathon, half, and relay

Race Day Tips

  • The Prater can be windy - The open parkland offers little protection
  • Schönbrunn is the midpoint highlight - Enjoy the palace views
  • The final Ringstrasse section is where it matters - Vienna's grandest architecture awaits
  • Austrian crowd support is enthusiastic - Expect cheers of "Weiter so!" (Keep going!)
  • The Rathaus finish is spectacular - Gothic spires and cheering crowds

Train for Vienna City Marathon

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