Last minute commitment as top favorite

The Salzburg Marathon has succeeded in making a last-minute commitment for the elite field in the men's marathon. Kenyan Victor Kipchirchir is the top favorite for victory on Sunday. The 31-year-old celebrated great success in 2016 by winning the Valencia Marathon in a personal best of 2:07:39 hours and also ran fast marathons in Seoul and Valencia in 2017. Six weeks ago, Kipchirchir started at the Vienna City Marathon, ran in the leading group until the beginning of the second half and had to drop out shortly after 30 kilometers. With his start at the Salzburg Marathon, he will have a second chance this spring to convert his training achievements into a marathon result.

Race designed for a new course record

“Victor is of course the fastest marathon runner who has ever run in Salzburg. It is fortunate for us that he was looking for an opportunity to start a second marathon this spring. His participation increases the chances of setting a new course record on Sunday,” says event organizer Johannes Langer. The race strategy on Sunday, in consultation with all Kenyan runners, is geared towards a finish time of 2:13 hours, which should put Eliud Kiplagat's course record from 2013 (2:14:16 hours) within reach.

Athlete Information

Victor KIPCHIRCHIR (Kenya) – car number 10
Date of birth: 12/5/1987
PB Marathon: 2:07:39 hours (Run in Valencia 2016)
PB: half marathon: 59:31 minutes (run in The Hague 2012)

Important results: Winner Valencia Marathon (2016), Winner Santiago de Chile Marathon 2016, Winner Warsaw Marathon 2014, 7th Seoul Marathon 2017, 7th Eindhoven Marathon 2017, 2nd Wörthersee Half Marathon (2013)