Filipinos join 29th Vienna Marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Some Filipinos joined the 29th Vienna City Marathon on Sunday, along with 36,000 participants from 113 nations.

The group Alpha Phi Omega Austria represented the Philippines during the marathon.

A Filipina participant, who declined to be identified, said participating in the Vienna marathon is "in a way symbolic of her life, and she is not about to give up half way through."

"Life is like running, where one encounters rough roads and hilly terrain. But if  one is motivated to get through, you'll be rewarded in the end," she said.

Roger T., a hotel employee in Lower Austria joined the race but did not reach the finish line.

“I almost reached the finish line. I ran for almost two hours then I was hit by cramps on both legs at kilometer 30 and was reduced to walking the next 10km.  I heard people shouting, 'Hey, this is a marathon, no one walks here'," he said.

A 18-year-old third generation Pinoy, who joined the marathon told ABS-CBN News, that he drew inspiration from sporting greats like Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie. The two runners also participated in the race.

The Vienna City Marathon is the biggest sports initiative in the Austria.

Gebrselassie, the legendary Ethiopian runner, clocked 60:52 minutes for the half marathon and caught Paula Radcliffe (72:03), who had been given a head start.