Runners fired up for Linz Marathon
Tens of thousands of runners and fans are at the ready for this Sundays Linz Marathon (start: 9am).More than 15,000 professional and hobby athletes will compete in the event (www.linz-marathon.at) which has developed into one of Austrias biggest sports competitions. Around 250 paramedics will be on the ground to look after injured and exhausted runners.Organisers have informed motorists and people using public transport that several key routes will be closed for the run. More than 200 police officers have been assigned to direct traffic to ensure smooth proceedings of the event.Meanwhile, Vienna City Marathon (VCM) organisers brace themselves for more than twice as many runners. The team headed by former professional runner Wolfgang Konrad said in mid-March that more than 28,000 people from all over the world have already signed up to take part on 17 April from 9am (www.vienna-marathon.com). Especially the Half-Marathon distance (21.1 kilometres) has turned out to be a hit.Other eagerly awaited running competitions are the Salzburg Marathon (www.salzburg-marathon.at) on 15 May, the Half-Marathon in Stinatz (13 August, www.lc-tiger.com) the Graz Marathon (www.grazmarathon.at) on 9 October and the Vienna Night Run (8 October, www.viennanightrun.at).