5th May, 2009
The weather was perfect for running – sunny, but not too warm – when 4,600 athletes from 30 countries took to the streets of Salzburg for the 6th Salzburg AMREF Marathon. The race, which has grown to be the biggest public sports event in the Austrian city, was not dominated by Kenyan runners as it was last year. Although it was a close race between Kenya’s Kennedy Matolo and Austrian Christian Pflügl, it was Pflügl who emerged winner in 2:23:32 while Matolo, a guest of AMREF in Austria, followed closely behind in 2:24:57. Third was Karl Aumayer from Austria.
Austria swept the first three places in the women’s marathon, which was won by Ursula Bredlinger in 2:49:20. She was six minutes ahead of second-paced compatriot Maria Zechmeister, while Dr Sabine Hofer came in third. Kenya’s Callen Moraa Areba was sixth.
Ethiopian athlete Gidena Gebremedhin, also a guest of AMREF in Austria, won the Half Marathon for men in 1:04:46. Second was German Benedikt Fritz, who crossed the finishing line five minutes and 10 seconds later. Austrian Herbert Gruber was third. The fastest woman in the Half Marathon was Lucy Karimi from Kenya. It took her 1:16:06 to run the 21,097km race. She was almost 10 minutes faster than Isabelle Heers of Germany, who came in second, while Austria’s Christina Gassner was third.
The Salzburg AMREF Marathon was preceded on Saturday by the Coca-Cola Junior Marathon at which 1,300 children between the ages of 10 and 16 ran to raise money for AMREF. This is the biggest racing event for children in Austria.
The Salzburg AMREF Marathon is not just an outstanding sports event; it is also a very successful charity event. The Kenyan Athletes ran side by side with Austrian and international personalities like Italian actress Caterina Murino, French rugby star Pierre Rabadan, Austrian Paralympics gold medalist Thomas Geierspichler and Austrian actor Fritz Egger. Consolata Kiragu, Kenya’s Charge d’Affairs in Vienna, and Counsellor Arown K Suge were also present to support the Salzburg AMREF Marathon.
One of the side events arranged by AMREF in Austria was the “Black&White” gala, which included a concert by the Austrian band “Querschläger”. The gala was the highlight of the “Days of Dialogue”, a cultural programme in support of the Salzburg AMREF Marathon. Other events preceding the marathon included a series of African films, lectures and workshops.
Men’s Marathon
1. Christian Pflügl (Austria) – 2:23:32
2. Kennedy Matolo (Kenya) – 2:24:57
3. Karl Aumayer (Austria) – 2:28:42
Women’s Marathon
1. Ursula Bredlinger (Austria) – 2:49:29
2. Maria Zechmeister (Austria) – 2:55:21
3. Dr Sabine Hofer (Austria) – 2:56:55
Men’s Half Marathon
1. Gidena Gebremedhin (Ethiopia) – 1:04:46
2. Benedikt Fritz (Germany) – 1:09:56
3. Herbert Gruber (Austria) – 1:12:35
Women’s Half Marathon
1. Lucy Karimi (Kenya) – 1:16:06
2. Isabelle Heers (Germany) – 1:25:46
3. Christina Gassner (Austria) – 1:28:56
