Record routes and participant numbers at the Koasamarsch in Ebbs!
950 participants started out at the 49th Koasamarsch in Ebbs on 17 June 2018 – one of two records which were broken this year! Isaac T. Kosgei was also the first man to reach the finish line in a new record time, making him the Austrian Champion of the Mountain Marathon. In the women’s race, victory went to Salzburg athlete Claudia Rosegger.
This year marked the 49th Koasamarsch in Ebbs and on Sunday 17 June 2018, 950 participants headed to the start line – close to the 1000 mark! The walkers set off from 6:00 and the marathon mountain runners from 7:00. At 8:30, the classic runners started out and finally the half-marathon runners at 8:40. Participants had a choice of four walking routes and three trail-run distances to choose from. “Everyone should be able to choose their own personal challenge. That’s why we offer routes of varying difficulty. Around half of the participants were walkers and the rest opted for the mountain run,” says Jürgen Sevignani of the WSV Ebbs. They were accompanied throughout by the bright sunshine and impressive backdrop of the Kaisergebirge mountains.
Kosgei and Rosegger win the 49th edition
The KOASA Marathon is the ultimate discipline, covering 44 km and 2,100m of elevation gain. This hardest version of the Ebbs Koasamarsch rewards the mountain runners for their physical exertion with high Alpine sections and an untouched natural setting. The strong field of participants meant that some sensational times were set. Isaac T. Kosgei mastered the route in just 4 hours and 3 minutes, setting a new record for the route. The Kenyan lives in Linz and was both this year’s winner of the Ebbs Koasamarsch and Austrian Champion of the Mountain Marathon. He was followed closely by Mario Weiss of Lower Austria who came in second place, less than a minute later. Third place went to Styrian Stefan Schriebl. Claudia Rosegger was winner of the women’s KOASA Marathon with a time of 4 hours and 55 minutes. The second fastest woman was Elisabeth Smolle who completed the 44 km in 4 hours and 59 minutes. And Claudia Wimmer from Salzkammergut came third.
A positive look back at the Koasamarsch 2018
This year’s event was a great success, with new record numbers of participants, a new track record and a varied supporting programme – undoubtedly a success. “We tapped into the mood of the day with the event. Walkers and mountain runners set themselves a sporting challenge and motivated one another to achieve highly. The Kaisertal valley is the perfect backdrop for this,” says Andreas Moser of the WSV Ebbs. The ‘Bundesmusikkapelle Ebbs’ band provided musical accompaniment in the form of an outdoor concert. The traditional ‘Smokerbraten’ roast was as popular as last year, And next year, the Koasamarsch in Ebbs will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The team at WSV Ebbs already has a few special ideas up its sleeve. Participants should certainly be excited!
