16th May, 2011
The 8th Salzburg AMREF Marathon, now the biggest public sports event in Salzburg, and counted more than 4,700 participants from 54 different nations today – the biggest starting field recorded since the marathon started.
Like last year, the weather was rainy and cold. Nevertheless, the athletes were very focused and could not be stopped from running for AMREF’s ‘Stand up for African Mothers’ Campaign.
All the events were dominated by African athletes who were guests of AMREF in Austria. Victor Bushendich Chelokoi from Kenya won the Full Marathon. For a long time, it was a close race with Gunther Weidlinger from Austria, but at last Victor finished with a new course record of 2:14:49. Gunther Weidlinger came in second (2:17:59), and Micah Kemboi from Kenya finished third (2:21:36).
Risper Kimaiyo from Kenya won the women Full Marathon in a time of 2:35:05 with minimal competition. She finished the race more than 25 minutes ahead of the second woman in the field, Dr Sabine Hofer from Austria (3:00:37). Third was Laurea Nesta Tiziana from Italy with a time of 3:03:07.
The Ethiopian athlete Gidena Gebremedhin, also a guest of AMREF in Austria, won the men’s Half Marathon in a time of 1:03:53, thus winning it the third year in a row. Despite the bad weather, he was even faster than the years before and finished more than 5 minutes before Benedikt Fritz from Germany (1:11:28) in second position. Third was Peter Loacker from Austria (1:11:43).
The fastest woman of the Half Marathon was Sylvia Jepchirchir Kibiego from Kenya with a time of 1:14:36. Marie-Charlotte Bonnaire from France came in a distance second with a time of 1:21:16. Third was Austrian Pia-Maria Thoma (1:22:30).
The Salzburg AMREF Marathon opened on Saturday with the Coca-Cola Junior Marathon where more than 1,400 10 to 16-year-olds were running for AMREF, making it the biggest race event for kids in Austria.
But the Salzburg AMREF Marathon is not just an outstanding sports event; it is also a very successful charity event, which was witnessed by many dignitaries, among them His Excellency Ukur Yatani, Ambassador of Kenya in Austria, and the Mayor of the City of Salzburg, Dr Heinz Schaden. Special guests were two representatives from Southern Sudan: Mr. Edward Settimo Yugu, the Director General for Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Recreation, Government of Southern Sudan, and James Francis Ohisha, a young athlete participating in the 5-km-VIP race, running side by side with Italian actress and AMREF Ambassador Caterina Murino.
Several build-up events were organised by AMREF in Austria during the week before the marathon in a cultural programme dubbed ‘Days of Dialogue’, which included a series of lectures, workshops and other networking forums. One of the key events that were arranged was the Black & White Charity evening which was attended by many celebrities like Austrian-born Iris Strubegger, who is one of the top models in the world, Caterina Murino, Isaac Macharia who is a pioneer of the Salzburg AMREF Marathon and a specialist in both half and full marathon.
The money raised will go towards supporting AMREF’s programmes, especially the training of clinical officers and midwives in order to reduce maternal death in Africa.
Marathon times:
Marathon Men
1. Victor Bushendich Chelokoi (Kenya) – 2:14:49
2. Günther Weidlinger (Austria) – 2:17:59
3. Micah Kemboi (Kenya) – 2:21:36
Marathon Women
1. Risper Kimaiyo – 2:35:05
2. Dr. Sabine Hofer (Austria) – 3:00:37
3. Laurea Nesta Tiziana (Italy) – 3:03:07
Half Marathon Men
1. Gidena Gebremedhin Mirach (Ethiopia) – 1:03:53
2. Benedikt Fritz (Germany) – 1:11:28
3. Peter Loacker (Austria) – 1:11:43
Half Marathon Women
1. Sylvia Jepchirchir Kibiego (Kenya) - 1:14:36
2. Marie-Charlotte Bonnaire (France) – 1:21:16
3. Pia-Maria Thoma (Austria) – 1:22:30
