Günther Weidlinger to give marathon debut in Vienna 2009

December 20, 2008

On September 29 2008 Austrian distance-star Günther Weidlinger started his preparation for his marathon debut, which he will give in the Austrian capital on April 19 in 2009. The former steeplechaser wants to establish himself in the European marathon elite and aims for the Austrian marathon record of 2:12:22. The Austrian national record which was set also in Vienna is held by Gerhard Hartmann and already lasts for 22 years. At the time being, Weidlinger already has the national records in the 1.500 m (3:34,69 Min), 3.000 m (indoor/7:44,19), 3.000m steeple (8:10,83), 5.000 m (13:13,44), 10.000 m (27:36,46), 10 km road (28:10) and in the halfmarathon (61:42).

Günther Weidlinger started his preparation with a 6-week altitude training camp in Falls Creek/AUS. Down under he also competed in a 15k road race and took 5th-place in a race that was won by Haile Gebrselassie.