Abadi and Chepkemoi Shine in Cold Vienna Marathon with Breakthrough Wins

Sunday, 06 April 2025

Haftamu Abadi and Betty Chepkemoi were the surprise champions of the 42nd Vienna City Marathon, both smashing their personal bests in near-freezing temperatures. Running just their second marathon, they emerged from stacked elite fields to claim their biggest career wins.

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Ethiopia’s Haftamu Abadi won the men’s race in 2:08:28, improving his personal best by over two minutes. Kenya’s Mica Cheserek followed in 2:10:23, while Ethiopian debutant Mogos Tuemay secured third in 2:10:33.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Betty Chepkemoi took a massive leap forward, clocking 2:24:14—over ten minutes faster than her previous best. Her compatriots Rebecca Tanui (2:25:18) and Catherine Cherotich (2:25:45) completed the podium. Germany’s Fabienne Königstein finished fourth in 2:28:49.

The event, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race, recorded its highest-ever participation with 46,083 athletes from 146 nations. Among them were 12,968 marathon runners, the largest number in the race’s history.

Race day conditions were far from ideal. With temperatures starting at just 2°C—one of the coldest in the marathon’s history—any hopes for record-breaking times faded early. The men’s pack hit 5k in 15:06, setting up a projected finish around 2:07:20. At halfway (1:03:32), four runners remained behind pacemaker Laban Chepkorom: Abadi, Tuemay, and Kenyans Edward Koonyo and Asbel Rutto.

Koonyo dropped off before 25k, and by 28k, Abadi surged ahead solo. Wearing gloves, ear protection, and long sleeves, he was the only one dressed for the chill. At 29k, he made his decisive move, pulling away for good.

“I had prepared well and hoped to run 2:05 to 2:06, but that wasn’t possible today,” said 21-year-old Abadi, the youngest in the elite field. “I hope my next marathon is calmer—I believe I can go even faster.”

The women’s race started conservatively due to the cold, with the 5k split at 17:24, pointing to a 2:27 finish. Conditions felt closer to -5°C, and without pacemakers in the second half, the field couldn’t chase fast times. The Kenyan trio of Chepkemoi, Tanui, and Cherotich broke away just before halfway and stayed together until 6k from the finish. Chepkemoi then surged clear.

“I’m very happy with the win and such a big personal best,” said Chepkemoi, whose debut last year in Istanbul was 2:34:52. “It was tough out there, but I know I can run faster in better conditions.”

Germany’s Königstein, racing just four weeks after a strong showing in Nagoya, delivered again with a 2:28:49 finish. “It was really tough, but I gave everything. Now I’m looking forward to an autumn marathon,” she said.

Record Falls in Vienna 5K on Marathon Eve

The momentum wasn’t limited to marathon day. Vienna’s 5k race, held the night before, continues to grow in popularity, drawing over 4,000 runners for its third edition. Held along the city’s Ringstraße with a shared finish line to the marathon, it saw Austria’s Timo Hinterndorfer break the course record despite strong winds. He won in 14:17, followed by fellow Austrian Markus Reißelhuber (14:51) and Belgium’s Thys Moreau (15:00).

In the women’s race, New Zealand’s Sophie Hicks outran a talented Austrian field, clocking 16:20. Austria’s Cordula Lassacher, 21, and a national U23 record-holder, was second in 16:27. Defending champion Lena Millonig placed third in 16:35.

Despite the cold, Vienna delivered drama, depth, and standout performances across all distances—setting the stage for even bigger races to come.