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International Athletes among 12.000 Participants in Vienna
New Participation Record – Interesting International Elite Field – Challenging Top
Performances 2005 – Austrian Women's Run Award 2006 to Tegla Loroupe – Kathrine Switzer
returns to Vienna
NEW PARTICIPATION RECORD
The Austrian Women's Run is one of the biggest women's running events in Europe. On June 11,
2006, women and girls from more than 40 nations will run the 5 km or 10 km course through the
green Vienna Prater. The numbers surpass all expectations: With almost 12.000 pre-registrations
last year's participation record of 10.105 will be topped by far.
INTERESTING INTERNATIONAL ELITE FIELD
The organisers Ilse Dippmann and Andreas Schnabl have invited several world-class athletes for the
5 km elite run:
− Austrian Women's Run Award nominee TEGLA LOROUPE (KEN)
− Top athlete ELOISE WELLINGS from Australia: She is world's number 4 on the 5.000 m
course 2006 with 15:00.69 min. (Commonwealth Games, Melbourne)
− From Sweden, ten-time champion IDA NILSSON and her compatriot and "Finnkampen"
winner 2005, CHRISTIN JOHANSSON
− KRISZTINA PAPP (HUN)
− ROSARIA CONSOLE (ITA)
Of course Austrian elite runners will start at the competition as well.
CHALLENGING TOP PERFORMANCES 2005
Last year the Austrian Women's Run featured international athletes for the first time. Sabrina
Mockenhaupt (GER) was out in front by kilometer 3 and maintained her lead until the finish line,
setting a new course record with 15:42.9 min. Marathon specialist Anikò Kàlovics (HUN) showed a
great performance as the runner-up, covering the course in 15:57.1, ahead of 2000 m world record
holder Sonia O'Sullivan from Ireland (16:04.3).
AUSTRIAN WOMEN'S RUN AWARD 2006 TO TEGLA LOROUPE
A highlight of the 2-days event will be the awarding of the Austrian Women's Run Award to TEGLA
LOROUPE . She has won almost all important marathons in the world. Her most successful years
were 1998 and 1999, when she established a new marathon world record two times in a row
(Rotterdam 2:20:47 h, Berlin 2:20:43 h). At present she is world record holder at 20.000 m, 25.000
m, 30.000 m, and one hour run. She is not only one of the fastest long distance runners in the world
but also dedicates herself to social activities in her home country Kenya. With the Tegla Loroupe
Peace Foundation, she initiates peace projects, fights against poverty and aids and supports
education programmes with sports as a unifying factor.
With the Austrian Women's Run Award Tegla Loroupe will be honoured for her amazing
achievements in sports and especially for her outstanding social commitment.
The Austrian Women's Run Award was introduced in 2004 to honour courageous women who are
willing to fight for their ideals. Tegla Loroupe will be the third award winner after UN special
ambassador Waris Dirie (2004) and US women running pioneer Kathrine Switzer (2005).
KATHRINE SWITZER RETURNS TO VIENNA
Last year's award winner Kathrine Switzer, the founder of the world's first women's run and the very
first female who officially participated in a marathon, was so impressed by the huge event that she
decided to return to Vienna this year and run the 5 km course again.
More information about the Austrian Women's Run:
source austrianwomensrun.com
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