Running > Report

2003 Apr 06 - Austria, Linz Marathon #8. Time 3:19

The calendar indicates it must be spring, but the weather was anything but warm for us 5000 starters on Sunday's Linz marathon. The surrounding hills were capped in white snow and the bright sunshine was frequently interrupted by flurries of snow driven by the strong northerly wind. The runners and a handful of shivering spectators gathered on the banks of the River Danube for the starting gun, which went off at 9:52 a.m. exactly. 9:52 a.m.? The unusual time was supposed to remind us of 95.2 fm, the dial setting of a local radio station.

The freezing windy weather and the fairly hilly course made this 8th marathon my coldest yet. The route took us across the Danube a few times, back and forth from one end of the unspectacular industrial city to the other. It seemed as if there was a headwind for at least 3/4 of the course. Like migrating geese, long lines of runners seeking wind shadow immediately formed behind anyone daring to push ahead. As the course drew towards the city centre, I was glad to reach the final mile along the main street with its wet cobbles and slippery tramcar lines, finish the race, wrap up warmly in a double layer of Mylar blankets and head for the warm train back home to Wels.

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