'Fledermauslauf' (Bat Run)
The occasion: The VCM celebrates the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss together with the City of Vienna. The ‘Fledermaus’ (the 'Bat') is known to be the Waltz King's top operetta. The anniversary of the world première is on 5 April.
Distance: approx. 200 m
Start: Ringstraße/Burgtheater - access via Rathausplatz
Start & finish are at the same place.
The entry fee will be donated in its entirety to SOS-Kinderdorf.
Dress up!
Come to the start with a mask, cape, costume or make-up. We look forward to seeing lots of running bats! There will be an opportunity for bat styling on site.
Cosy bat as a reward
All successful young runners will receive a plush bat from Johann Strauss 2025 Wien at the finish line as a fluttering memento of this special running experience.
Eligible to start:
Everyone from 3-6 years
Entry fee:
- € 5.- *
* The entry fee will be donated in its entirety to SOS-Kinderdorf. Thank you!
Collection only on Saturday, 5 April at the Rathausplatz.
12-14 o'clock - until half an hour before the start.
Allow sufficient time to collect your number and walk to the start.
Tail runners & walkers:
Official tail runners and walkers will also take part in the ‘Fledermauslauf’ to accompany the kids before the start, during the run and all the way to the finish. They will motivate the participating children, cheer them on and help them wherever needed.
Accompaniment:
As the start and finish are in the same place, there is no need to accompany the children. If desired, an adult (dressed up or made up as a bat) can take part with an official ‘guide’ starting number. Please ask us about it at the bib number distributation, then we will hand it out.
The "Fledermaus" run takes place without timekeeping. An online certificate will be issued for participation.
Participation limit & registration deadline:
There is a total quota of 200 registrations.
Registration closes as soon as the participant limit is reached, at the latest on 31 March 2025.
Are you already registered?
You can check your registration here.
VCM Highlights
Your marathon adventure in Vienna starts here.
Run to the most famous highlights of Vienna and celebrate your finish in the heart of the city.
Edit FAQs
Additional Information
Click on a heading to open and close an info box. If you have any further questions, please contact office@vienna-marathon.com.There is a total quota of 35,000 registrations for the Sunday competitions. So don't wait too long and register early.
Registration closes as soon as the limit of participants has been reached, but no later than 3 March 2025.
There are 3300 spots available for the children’s competitions, so register early to secure a starting place. Registration closes as soon as the limit of participants has been reached, or at the latest on 31 March 2025.
Your race number will be assigned to you shortly before the race. You will receive your pick-up confirmation by email, which will also include your bib number.
Picking up your start number
The Daily Mile 800, The Daily Mile 1600, Coca-Cola Inclusion Run, "Fledermauslauf"
Friday, 19. April 2024, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Vienna Sports World: Marx Halle, Karl-Farkas-Gasse 19, 1030 Wien Saturday, 20. April 2024, (exact time to follow) at Rathausplatz before your race
For the start number pickup, you need:
- VCM pick up confirmation email – you will receive this in mid-April
- Photo ID
It is possible for someone else to collect your race number. You will need:
- VCM pick-up confirmation
- Power of attorney (download)
- ID card of the person collecting
Your race number will be assigned to you shortly before the race. You will receive your pick-up confirmation by email by the end of March 2025, which will also include your race number.
Picking up your race number
Marathon, Wiener Städtische half marathon, Powerade relay marathon, Vienna 5K
Vienna Sports World:
Marx Halle, Karl-Farkas-Gasse 19, 1030 Vienna
- Friday, April 4, 2025, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm - for Vienna 5K until 4:30 pm on Saturday
No race number collection on Sunday, 6 April 2025!
To pick up your bib number, you need:
- VCM pick-up confirmation - you will receive it by email by the end of March
- Photo ID
It is possible for someone else to collect your race number. You will need:
- VCM pick-up confirmation
- Power of attorney (download)
- ID card of the person collecting
For the relay team, one person collects the race numbers for all four runners. The start numbers of a team will only be issued together.
At the Powerade relay marathon, one person collects the starting documents for all four runners in a relay team.
Each relay team will receive an envelope at the start number distribution:
- 4 race numbers without timekeeping transponders (e.g. 333A, 333B, 333C, 333D)
- 1 smaller race number (A5) with timekeeping transponder (e.g. 333)
- 4 x 4 safety pins
- 1 cloakroom sticker with race number (e.g. 333) for the 1st relay runner at the start (only this person can hand in cloakroom)
- 1 info sheet for the text explanation and QR code for the explanatory video
In addition to the envelope, each relay team will receive a race number ribbon and 4 Erste Bank Sparkasse Running cloakroom bags.
The A5 bib number with the timekeeping transponder must be carried over the entire course to enable timekeeping and inclusion in the results list.
The A5 bib number with the timing transponder is handed from runner 1 to runner 2 at the handover points, as well as from 2 to 3 and from 3 to 4.
Use the race number tape for this. This ensures a simple handover.
Attach your personal race number without a timing transponder (e.g. 333A, 333B, 333C, 333D) to the front of your running jersey. It serves to identify you as a participant in the Powerade Relay Marathon.
If you would like to leave a VCM cloakroom bag in the start/finish area for storage at the Vienna 5K, you must book this in advance at the registration desk for 2 euros.
This way we can provide exactly the capacity that
is actually needed.
If you are still undecided, you can book your cloakroom storage in the registration system with your personal login until 31 March. It is not possible to book on site.
You can, for example, change your contact details, transfer your registration to someone else or place additional orders in your personal account in the online registration system. Login data and links from 2024 or previous years will no longer work.
You are welcome to change your contact details or place orders for additional products within your personal account within the registration system. The login data from 2023 and previous years are no longer functional.
You can pass on your starting place in your personal account of the online registration system to a person of your choice for a fee of 20 euros. The deadline for this is 17 March 2025.
You can transfer your starting place to a friend in your personal account in the online registration system for a fee of 5.50 euros. The transfer deadline ends on 31 March 2025.
Relay team members can be exchanged free of charge until the registration deadline on April 01, 2024. Short-term changes before the event are possible for 20 Euros per relay team at the Help Desk at Vienna Sports World.
Running is open and colourful, a sport for everyone. This is part of our self-image. This is wonderfully expressed in the atmospheric togetherness of every running event. Practically anyone and everyone can take part as a hobby
- regardless of origin, status, income, conviction, almost regardless of age and regardless of how you look, speak, think, love and what gender you or someone else ascribes to yourself.
We also show the diversity
of the running community with the option of selecting "male", "female", "diverse" or "not specified" for gender.
Please note: Finishers with the gender selection "diverse" or "not specified" will not be included in the women's or men's categories and therefore not in these results and age group rankings. This is in accordance
with the rules of World Athletics and the Austrian Athletics Federation. The Age Group World Ranking of the World Marathon Majors also only includes results from the men's and women's categories.
We look forward
to seeing you and to a great "togetherness" at the Vienna City Marathon!
Currently we offer cancellation / withdrawal insurance in the event of illness only for marathon and half marathon.
Insurance will be offered for the Vienna City Marathon and Wiener Städtischen Halbmarathon so you may receive a refund in the event of illness or injury. This offer is in preparation and will be bookable in your personal account in the registration system.
You can switch from the marathon to the half marathon distance during the race without prior notice. You will receive a medal at the finish and will be listed in the half marathon results. However, there is no refund of the entry fee difference. Conversely, it is not possible to switch from the half marathon to the marathon.
The first relay runner has the possibility to complete the full or half marathon in addition to taking part in a relay team. Register regularly for both events and wear both start numbers. At the relay handover point, you will pass off the relay number and keep running to the finish.
- Here you will find detailed information about the refreshment points.
- Eight refreshment stations with water and Powerade (every 5 km), with additional bananas from 15 km onwards.
- 15 additional water points - some with, some without staff
- Finish refreshments with drinks and fruit in the finisher bag
- For participants in the marathon (42.195 km): Possibility to hand in drinks bottles for self-catering at the start number distribution (no glass bottles, exact labelling required). The self-catering is located in the second position at the refreshment points, after the refreshments for elite runners. Please understand that we cannot guarantee that you will actually find your own catering.
- Drinks & refreshment also for the Saturday competitions adapted to the running distance
If you state when registering that you can run a marathon time under 3:00 hours or a half marathon time under 1:30 hours, we need proof of this from you. Please upload a result from the last three years (picture, certificate, link to the result).
Timekeeping is carried out using an RFID chip in the race number. Wearing a race number with an integrated chip is a prerequisite for receiving a result. You cannot use your own chip and do not need to rent a chip. Net time and gross time are shown. Ranking for runners outside the elite field is based on the net time.
For the Vienna 5K and the children's races The Daily Mile 800 | 1600 you can choose whether or not you want to participate with timekeeping. The selection "without timing" means that you will not receive a finisher time and
will not be listed in the ranking of the event. However, we will publish the names of the runners without timing in the "You made it!" ranking in alphabetical order.
You will still participate in the competition
with a start number including an RFID chip so we can confirm your completion of the distance.
The "Fledermauslauf" and the Coca-Cola Inclusion Run take place without timekeeping.
You can order your medal engraving during your registration or afterwards in your personal account. This is possible for the Sunday
events until 3 March 2025 at a price of 13 euros. For The Daily Mile 800 & 1600, this is possible until 31 March at a price of 9,- Euro. The medals will be engraved on site in the finish area at Rathausplatz.
ATTENTION: In order to have the time engraved as a participant of The Daily Mile 800 & 1600, the option "With timekeeping" must be selected when registering.
There is no offer for medal engraving for the Vienna 5K, because the medals at this event are made of wood. Likewise there is no offer for medal engraving for the Fledermauslauf and for the Coca-Cola Inclusion Run, as these events take place without timekeeping.
Personalise your VCM medal with an iTAB, a small custom plate engraved with your name and time that attaches to the medal ribbon. Pre-order in your personal account of the registration system and your iTAB will be shipped to your address after the event.
We will provide official pacemakers for different marathon finish times. More information will follow.
To accompany and motivate runners at the end of the field, official finishers will take part in all competitions on Saturday and Sunday, running to the finish line and providing support.
