Kenyan winners at the Salzburg Marathon

Wesley Kiprono Kemboi and Teresiah Kwamboka Omosa ensured Kenyan victories at the 15th Salzburg Marathon. They reached the finish line in 2:19:26 and 2:43:24 hours, directly in front of the magnificent Mirabell Palace. Kenyan Isaac Toroitich Kosgei, who lives in Linz, and Karin Freitag, each second overall, secured the ÖLV state championship title in the marathon, especially in summery temperatures during the second half of the race. With this success, the Tyrolean set a new record: No Austrian has ever achieved five state championship titles in marathon running. 6,854 participants from almost 80 nations ensured the second-best registration result at the small anniversary of the running festival in the city of Mozart. 

A light cloud cover had an understanding with the more than 1,100 registered marathon runners and almost twice as many participants in the Sparkasse half marathon. The starting signal for the 15th Salzburg Marathon was fired punctually at 9 a.m. under optimal external conditions. Exactly when the eventual winner Wesley Kemboi opened the second lap in a time of 1:06:59 hours, the sun shone brightly from the sky and caused early summer temperatures well above 20°C. This made the task difficult for all marathon runners. Kemboi, who had already taken the lead on his own after just over a third of the race, broke it best and maintained the clear lead he already had in the half marathon, finishing in a time of 2:19:26 hours. “I'm super happy with this win. But it was way too hot,” smiled the exhausted winner. 

Premiere title for Isaac Kosgei

One minute and 33 seconds later, Isaac Kosgei (TGW Zehnkampf Union) was welcomed jubilantly at the finish. With this performance, the Kenyan state champion, who lives in Linz, won his first state championship title in marathon running. Kosgei was already on course for the title at half-time with a lap time of 1:08:58 hours. At 23 kilometers he overtook William Kosgei, who had been in second place up to that point, and completed his great performance in a time of 1:20:59 hours. "I didn't think I could win. But God helped me a lot today. The high temperatures don't bother me, so the conditions today were perfect for me,” said Linzer happily.
  

Sensational bronze for Christian Kresnik

Carinthian Christian Kresnik (LAC Amateure Steyr) caused a sensation, with a strong performance on the second half of the course in a time of 2:28:36 hours, securing third place overall and the silver medal at the state championships. “I thought a time of around 2:35 hours was possible. That's a huge surprise for me," said Kresnik, who cheered for several minutes at the finish. He only trains around 100 kilometers a week. Defending champion Endris Seid (LCAV Jodl Packaging) finished fourth overall at the state championships.
The fact that the conditions were not easy is also demonstrated by the tasks of Edwin Kemboi (KLC), winner of the Salzburg Marathon 2014, his Kenyan teammate Amos Kipruto and Peter Wangari from Kenya, who could not live up to his role as favorite and only at half-time was in fourth place.

Omosa keeps Friday at bay

The two fastest marathon runners in the field showed a very good race classification. Teresiah Omosa crossed the timing mat at the half marathon almost to the second after 1:20 hours, Karin Freitag (LG Decker Itter) followed about 75 seconds later. "I never saw the winner during the race," said the Tyrolean later, who finished on the podium in the Salzburg Marathon for the fourth time. The 23-year-old Kenyan was able to keep her pace in the second half of the race, which was more difficult due to the rising temperatures, and finished the 15th Salzburg Marathon with a clear personal best of 2:43:23 hours. 

"The fifth title is something very special"

A little later, Karin Freitag was greeted with great applause at the finish. In a time of 2:45:26 hours, she lived up to her role as favorite in the battle for the state championship title. “The state championships are always the highlight of a season for me. Being at the top for the fifth time is something very special for me. But what makes me particularly happy is that I have consistently run well - despite the high temperatures today and the regular working hours as a part-time nurse at the regional hospital in Hall in Tirol. That is certainly due to my very well-structured preparation,” commented the 38-year-old. With the fifth state championship title, Karin Freitag set a new ÖLV record. She now has one more than Carina Weber-Leutner (later Lilge-Leutner), who died last year. For the sixth time, the Salzburg Marathon has been commissioned to host the ÖLV State Championships and the Austrian Masters Championships.

The sovereign winner of the silver medal and third place overall in the Salzburg Marathon was last year's Graz Marathon winner Elisabeth Smolle (LTV Köflach). She ran a time of 2:53:26 hours. Her club colleague Sarah Riffel finished fourth overall in the state championships (3:05:00 hours). The best Salzburger was "perennial" Sabine Hofer in sixth place overall.

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