The Vienna City Marathon will be held again on Sunday
©APA/EVA MANHART
Vienna police have deployed a large force of 500 for Sunday's Vienna City Marathon. State Transport Department (LVA) Chairman Thomas Losko explained this at a media event ahead of the event on Thursday. Apart from the traffic police, the emergency unit, operations unit, uniformed cycle service officers and civil forces will ensure that everything runs smoothly, Losko said.
However, based on past experience, the executive branch does not expect any major problems over the weekend. The LVA boss told media representatives that they were prepared for “any eventuality”. Interior Minister Hehard Garner (ÖVP) said on Thursday that there was no “concrete threat situation” over the running weekend. However, awareness is required. “Major sporting events have an increased threat potential, especially in the times we're experiencing now,” Garner said, referring to Hamas terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Red Cross will ensure a medically problem-free marathon on Sunday with 300 people and 30 vehicles, Vienna state rescue commander Michael Sartori said. “However, most participants are well aware of their physical condition,” Sartori said confidently. Based on the experiences of the last few years, around 500 medical interventions can be expected, the rescue commander said. “But everything is there – from a blister on the leg to a collapse,” he explained. “A number of people generally have few medical problems.” About 2,000 liters or 8,000 portions of tea were also given to about 35,000 participants for possible hypothermia after the run. “We give it at the finish area because the weather forecast is less than what the runners would like and to avoid the runners becoming hypothermic quickly.” Organizers also use about 300 folders.
A total of 42,000 athletes will participate in the races on Saturday and Sunday. Florian Holecek, head of production, gave organizers a tentatively positive assessment on Thursday. “This is the third largest field of participants we've had in one weekend,” Holek told APA. “We notice that people want to run again after Corona.”
Major closures and traffic detours are expected through the weekend. According to the ÖAMTC Automobile Club, the ring section between Stadiongas and Schöttengass will be closed from Friday evening. From 12.30pm on Saturday the ring will be inaccessible from Oberngas to Stadiongas. Franz-Josefs-Kai and other ring sections will be closed from 5:30 p.m. After 7:45pm – except for the area in front of the town hall – to be reopened. During Sunday's marathon, the entire 42-kilometer route from the Vienna International Center in Vienna-Donastadt to the finish area at the Burgtheater in the city center will be closed in sections, Losko said. However, at the same time, the police are setting up options to partially or fully cross the route at 33 points. ÖAMTC still recommended traveling on the subway.
Wiener Linien also suffered a running weekend. Tram routes 1, 2, 71 and D will be rescheduled from the start of service on Saturday until 8pm on Sunday. Additionally, U2Z will not operate during this period. A further 24 bus and tram routes will be reduced or diverted on Sunday.
(Service – Route information for those who need to travel outside on the day of the marathon, taking into account all road closures and alternative routes or short tours by public transport, can be found under the ÖAMTC APP or under “Find route”. Also under the club's information hotline 0810 120 120 (fee (depends on provider) You will get information about closing times and crossing options.)
