Kipchoge to Target Sub-Two-Hour Marathon in Vienna

By Adam Kopet

The organizers behind Eliud Kipchoge's attempt to break two hours in the marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge have selected a place and date for the event.

Vienna, Austria will play host to the event with a target date of Oct. 12. The event could be pushed back as late as Oct. 20 to account for bad weather.

The Vienna course will follow a 4.3K set of road largely in the Prater, a large tree-filled park. The back-and-forth course features traffic circles or roundabouts at either end. The course will require about 4.5 laps for the complete marathon distance.

INEOS 1:59 Challenge organizers had originally hoped to hold the event in London, but weather may have played a significant role in the decision to move the event to Vienna. Organizers performed a global search for an acceptable site, selecting Vienna for the following reasons:

• A fast and flat track
• A straight road, the 4.3km stretch of Prater Hauptallee
• Consistent and optimum performance weather conditions in October
• Fresh air – the park is described as the ‘green lung of Vienna’
• Wide, traffic-free and illuminated roads
• Ability to have supporters lining the route
• Within a 3 hour time difference of where Kipchoge trains in Kenya
• A proactive and welcoming local Mayor and experienced Vienna Marathon team

It should also be noted that Vienna, which is in the northeast corner of Austria, does not have the same elevation as the mountainous regions Austria is most known for. The course selected has an elevation of about 525 feet.

Kipchoge has already begun training for the sub-two attempt at his training base in Kenya. He took a break to spend time with family following his London Marathon win, but has already returned to training with his NN Running Team teammates.