New Participation Record The Austrian Women's Run is one of the biggest women's running events in Europe. On June 11, 2006, women and girls from more than 40 nations will run the 5 km or 10 km course through the green Vienna Prater. The numbers surpass all expectations: With almost 12.000 pre-registrations last year's participation record of 10.105 will be topped by far.

Interesting International Elite Field The organizers Ilse Dippmann and Andreas Schnabl have invited several world-class athletes for the 5K elite run: & Austrian Women's Run Award nominee TEGLA LOROUPE (KEN) & Top athlete ELOISE WELLINGS from Australia: She is world's number 4 on the 5K course 2006 with 15:00.69 min. (Commonwealth Games, Melbourne) & From Sweden, ten-time champion IDA NILSSON and her compatriot and "Finnkampen" winner 2005, CHRISTIN JOHANSSON & KRISZTINA PAPP (HUN) & ROSARIA CONSOLE (ITA)

Of course Austrian elite runners will start at the competition as well.

Challenging Top Performances 2005 Last year the Austrian Women's Run featured international athletes for the first time. Sabrina Mockenhaupt (GER) was out in front by kilometer 3 and maintained her lead until the finish line, setting a new course record with 15:42.9 min. Marathon specialist Aniko Kalovics (HUN) showed a great performance as the runner-up, covering the course in 15:57.1, ahead of 2000 m world record holder Sonia O'Sullivan from Ireland (16:04.3).

Austrian Women's Run Award 2006 to Tegla Loroupe A highlight of the 2-days event will be the awarding of the Austrian Women's Run Award to TEGLA LOROUPE. She has won almost all important marathons in the world. Her most successful years were 1998 and 1999, when she established a new marathon world record two times in a row (Rotterdam 2:20:47, Berlin 2:20:43). At present she is world record holder at 20K, 25K, 30K, and one hour run. She is not only one of the fastest long distance runners in the world but also dedicates herself to social activities in her home country Kenya. With the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, she initiates peace projects, fights against poverty and aids and supports education programs with sports as a unifying factor.

With the Austrian Women's Run Award Tegla Loroupe will be honored for her amazing achievements in sports and especially for her outstanding social commitment. The Austrian Women's Run Award was introduced in 2004 to honor courageous women who are willing to fight for their ideals. Tegla Loroupe will be the third award winner after UN special ambassador Waris Dirie (2004) and US women running pioneer Kathrine Switzer (2005).

Kathrine Switzer Returns To Vienna Last year's award winner Kathrine Switzer, the founder of the world's first women's run and the very first female who officially participated in a marathon, was so impressed by the huge event that she decided to return to Vienna this year and run the 5 km course again.

More information about the Austrian Women's Run.