>> Running stars and guests get in the mood for the Vienna City Marathon in a magnificent setting
>> Premiere for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra's VCM fanfare
>> "Dress rehearsal" for the waltz world record attempt

First VCM overture at Schönbrunn Palace: in the magnificent setting of Schönbrunn Palace and Palace Park on Thursday evening, the Austrian and international running stars of the Vienna City Marathon joined sponsors and organisers to get in the mood for the running highlight of the upcoming weekend.

To the sounds of the VCM fanfare composed and recorded especially for the marathon by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the top runners entered the palace in the Small Gallery to the applause of the guests. Among them were the top favourites Vibian Chepkirui and Justus Kangogo and a large ‘VCM Team Austria’ with the most promising Austrian runners such as Andreas Vojta and Lemawork Ketema, the reigning national half marathon champions Larissa Matz and Thomas Messner, World Championship participant Lena Millonig, young aces Timo Hinterndorfer, Cordula Lassacher and many more.

What an evening: a unique atmosphere in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the view across the palace gardens to the Gloriette and the fastest of the 45,000 registered runners who will be running through Vienna on Saturday and Sunday.

"We want to present and combine the beauty and strengths of Vienna at the marathon. With this kick-off event, we are bringing sport and classic culture together in a particularly harmonious way," said VCM Managing Director Dominik Konrad.

"This increases the anticipation for the VCM weekend all the more. The collaboration between strong Viennese partners and institutions is a boost for us all. We are very proud of the cooperation with the Schönbrunn Group and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra," emphasised VCM Managing Director Kathrin Widu.

"Running and Schönbrunn simply belong together. That's why we are particularly pleased to be the host for this extraordinary encounter," said Klaus Panholzer, CEO Schönbrunn Group.

The VCM fanfare, which will be performed for the first time, will create a special atmosphere on Sunday when the VCM elite runners enter the race before the start and during the award ceremonies in front of the Burgtheater. "Music and running have a lot in common. There are many runners among the orchestral musicians of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Running, like music, is about emotion, movement, stamina and joy," said Olivia Khalil, Commercial Director of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Composer Martin Rainer, who has twice taken part in the VCM half marathon competition himself, incorporated these feelings into the piece of music - which also includes echoes of Johann Strauss' ‘Danube Waltz’.

The original version of the Danube Waltz will open the Vienna City Marathon on Sunday at the Reichsbrücke - at 8.35 a.m. during the ‘Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna’ waltz world record attempt. In the 200th anniversary year of the Waltz King, more than 1966 dancing couples are to move for one minute. Dance professional Thomas Kraml led a kind of ‘dress rehearsal’ for the big waltz dance in the Small Gallery of Schönbrunn Palace and got the runners and guests of the evening going with the three-four time. "Vienna is the capital of music and dance. That's why this combination of waltz and marathon is so great."

Everyone can join in. No posture grades - fun guaranteed.