Gearing up to the start of the Vienna City Marathon – Ready to go! The Vienna City Marathon will move you! The VCM is moving!

Next Sunday, more than 28.000 participants from 100 nations will turn the streets of Vienna into the biggest running arena in Austria.

The preparation for this year’s VCM was literally “in motion” – in every way. A very long and harsh winter has demanded a great deal of the VCM-athletes in their training sessions. The fight to overcome your inner temptations surely hasn’t been that tedious for a long time. Moreover, the global situation concerning the economy as well as concerning sports hasn’t been filled with joy recently.

Nevertheless, the VCM also moves 2009, and even with more people than any other event in the country. We’re happy to announce the second biggest total number of participants since the foundation of the event. The VCM just belongs to the moving fixtures in Austria and Vienna, where the framework for it is perfect.
Next weekend again more than 2.500 staff members will be in motion for the marathon in order to make sure the Vienna City Marathon is a success. We will all do our best – just like you, because it is your moving day!

In this spirit we would like to wish you a perfect and an unforgettable Vienna City Marathon 2009!

Gerhard Wehr – VCM organisation – In the name of the VCM team

 Cars are still driving over the Reichsbruecke. Horse drawn carriages are still circling the Heldenplatz. But In a few days runners will replace them all and Vienna will host the largest sporting event Austria has to offer. 27,829 runners have registered already. This is the second highest participation in the history of the event, just behind last years record when the 25th jubilee edition has been celebrated. As there was a very long and hard winter in Austria and many people and countries feel the impact of the economic crisis, we at the VCM team are very happy with this. The passion for running remains on the highest level!

It takes many people to make this running event possible. There are 2,500 event workers from different organizations, who will give their best on the Marathon weekend. There are the event sponsors, the 300,000 spectators along the running course, the viewers watching the marathon at home on their TVs and the media which publicized the marathon months in advance. And of course all of you athletes from around 100 nations with your enthusiasm for running and being active.

Officially opening the VCM Weekend on Friday, April 17th will be the “Wien Aktiv” sports fair at the Exhibition Center Wien (hall D).

All the registered runners can pick up their racing documents there on Friday April 17th and Saturday April 18th from 10am to 6pm. Late registration is possible at the “Wien Aktiv”, subject to availability. Please note: No more registrations for tele.ring relay marathon!

The race itself, no matter what event, is the most important part. All the runners worked long and hard to get to this point. In order to experience Vienna and the Vienna City Marathon before and after the race there will be numerous enjoyable activities such as a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Sir Simon Rattle and the “International Friendship Party” in the ballroom at Vienna City Hall. On Saturday, April 18th a new charity run over 2.5km supports the “Austrian Breast Cancer Relief Fund”. Finally, there is a lot of excitement in the race where the elite field consists of marathon debutants only, among them the top Austrian runners Günther Weidlinger and Andrea Mayr.

Plan your VCM weekend carefully so that you can focus on the race and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the race weekend.  Here is a summary of all the important information and program highlights.

Vienna, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, Toulouse…

At the Mizuno expo stand at the marathon fair Wien Aktiv (17th/18th of April 2008, 10a.m.-18p.m., Messe Wien) you have the possibility to win 4 free entry tickets for one of these Mizuno sponsored marathons plus one of 30 pairs of the official marathon shoe Wave Rider 12! The dream prize will be a trip for 2 persons to the Amsterdam Marathon, including flights, accommodation and entry ticket for the race! More information on www.mizunorunningseries.com

Before the Start
VCM-Facts 2009 at a glance

[VCM RACE DOCUMENTS] – Info about the VCM Expo "Wien Aktiv"

[HOW TO GET THERE] – Here you find a map to get to the VCM Expo "Wien Aktiv"

[LATE ENTRIES] – You want to enter the race on short notice? Please read the information about organisational details.

[VCM MEDICAL CENTER] – In case you have been ill or injured in the weeks before Vienna City Marathon and in case you are unsure wether you should participate at VCM or not, please do not hesitate to contact our VCM Medical Center at "WIEN AKTIV" – the official VCM EXPO on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 06:00 p.m.

[STARTING LIST] – You find your name in the starting list, when your entry has been registered correctly.

[CONCERT BY THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA] – Enjoy the performance of the most renowned orchestra under conductor Sir Simon Rattle Thursday, April 16th. Ask for spare tickets at [www.musikverein.at]

[INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP PARTY] – Enjoy the traditional Carbo-Loading with Austrian speciality "Kaiserschmarrn", pasta and soup at the Vienna City Hall.

[RESULTS AS SMS] – Register free of charge to be informed about intermediate and finish times by text messages on your mobile phone.

[VCM SOUVENIRS AND MEDAL ENGRAVING] – Get your VCM Souvenir at the VCM Expo “Wien Aktiv” and at the official Shop on Heldenplatz after the race.

[MARATHON PHOTOS] – Order your personal pictures of the Vienna City Marathon already before the race. A special offer is available at the VCM Expo

[VCM LAST MINUTE HOTELS] – You don't have an accommodation yet? Look here to find spare places in Vienna Hotels.

[MASS BEFORE THE RACE] – Go to a mass dedicated to Vienna City Marathon (Text in German only)

[HOW TO GET TO THE START] – Use the subway line U1 (direction Kagran, leave at “Alte Donau”) to get to the start without troubles and in time.

[VCM SOCIALS] – Learn more about the various social initiatives at the Vienna City Marathon (Text mostly in German)

[PINK RIBBON LAUF] – Take part at the charity run (2.5km) on Saturday, 18th April, 4.30 p.m. in the heart of Vienna. Net Proceeds of the run will be donated to the “Austrian Breast Cancer Relief Fund”.
While running Refreshment, music …

[DETAILS OF THE COURSE] – Plan your personal race and look through the extensive race course documentation

[REFRESHMENTS POINTS] – Inform yourself about the numerous refreshment points along the course

[ACCOMPANYING PERSONS] – Interesting places for your fans and friends you bring with you.

[MARATHON SOUND OF VIENNA] – A special selection of music along the course.

[VCM LIVE STREAM] – Watch the Vienna City Marathon 2009 LIVE on the internet! Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF offers a live stream starting at 8.40 a.m..

[VCM ON AUSTRIAN TV] – Vienna City Marathon is broadcasted live on ORF2 & Sport Plus. Coverage starts at 8.40 a.m.

At the finish

42K are not enough …

[VCM FINISHER PACKAGE] – Refresh yourself after your arrival at the finish (Text in German only)

[VCM SOUVENIRS AND MEDAL ENGRAVING] – Get your VCM Souvenir at the official Shop on Heldenplatz
FINISHER PHOTOS – You will find your personal photos of Vienna City Marathon one or two days after the event on the VCM result pages and on www.asiphoto.net