On Track Night Brings the Heat and Olympic Standards to Vienna 

Vienna, Austria, June 23, 2024— In the shadow of the prestigious Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Track Night Vienna took place at the LAZ Vienna track. Athletes delivered a world-class show, with nine Olympic standards, cheered on by a sold-out crowd.

Starting at 14:00, the day was packed with races, ranging from club-level to Austrian Championships and elite races featuring athletes ready to book their tickets to Paris. 

Spectators were invited to cheer on athletes on the track in the now iconic On Track Night tunnels, bringing the best atmosphere to the track and truly debunking the myth that running is not a spectator sport. 

A taste of elite athletics for everyday runners

The first two races of the day were mixed 5000m races with different paces and offered club and hobby runners the chance to experience what elite athletes get to do for a living. Cheered on by the crowd, the runners made their way around the 12 laps in the blistering Vienna heat. The pleasant paces and open aspect of the races attracted many local club runners and running collectives to get in on the action on the track and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere afterward as well. 

Olympic Standards all round in the 5000m 

With the wave light guiding the athletes, the battle for podium places, but most importantly Olympic standards, was well and truly on in the Elite 5000m races. The women laid a foundation for an Olympic standard night with a sprint finish between Likina Amebaw (ETH) and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi (KEN) for the victory, but with both dipping below the standard of 14:52.00. In third, Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI) also broke the magic mark, finishing the race and podium off in a time of 14:44.97.

As the sun set over the track, the elite men took to the start of their 5000m. With the standard of 13:05.00 in the back of their minds, they set off incredibly fast, running ahead of the wave light in the first lap. As the laps ticked on, the pace slowed, but the determination of the athletes to punch their tickets didn’t. In the end, it was Oscar Chelimo of the On Tuscany Camp who broke the finish tape in a time of 12:59.19, followed by Telahun Haile Bekele in 13:00.95 and Aron Kifle (ERI) who ran exactly the magic 13:05.00. 

Oscar Chelimo: “It's unbelievable what happened here today. We were ​ pushed by the audience, we became faster and faster. It is a dream to be closer to the Olympic Games in Paris now. I’m just happy, happy, happy.”

On Athletes Dominate the 800m Races

Plenty of On athletes were on the start lines of the 800m races at the LAZ Vienna Track. 

In the men’s Olympic field, Peyton Craig, all the way from Australia and a member of the On Athletics Club Oceania, punched his ticket to Paris, running a 1:44.12. On top of his ticket to Paris, Craig also secured a new continental record and U20 Australian 800m record. Craig was followed closely by fellow On athlete Corentin Le Clezio (FRA), who also secured the Olympic Standard, running a 1:44.25 race. George Mills of the On Athletics Club Europe rounded off the podium, crossing the line in 1:46.11, just a few weeks after his success in Rome in the 1500m. 

Peyton Craig: “This is the coolest day of my life. It's crazy to break the Olympic standard here. I never thought that, never expected it, it’s amazing.”

A similar feat unfolded on the women’s Olympic side, with three On athletes on the podium. From On Athletics Club Oceania, Bendere Oboya ran a new personal best of 1:58.56 and dipped under the Olympic Standard for a second time. She was followed by Charlotte Pizzo (FRA) in a time of 1:59.99 and breakthrough Australian runner Claudia Hollingsworth in 2:00.02. 

Bendere Oboya: “The setup here is just amazing, the spectators just push you forward. It was the perfect race for me today, I didn't expect that. I am overwhelmed to have reached the limit for Paris.”

Steeple Chasers Cheered on by the crowd

Despite hopes of further Olympic standards in the 3000m steeple chase races, the hopes were not fulfilled as neither the elite men nor women clocked the magical time. In the Olympic races, it was a double victory for Morroco, with Ikram Ouaazi and Faid El Mostafa taking home the wins in their respective races. In the men’s elite 3000m steeple chase race, paced for 8:45.00, Roger Suria of Spain took home the win. The crowds flooded over to the steeple chase pool, enjoying the spectacle and cheering on all runners as they came round. 

Sebastian Frey and Sandra Schauer Crowned Austrian 5000m Champions 

Combined with the Men’s elite 5000m race and the women’s 5000m paced at 16:15.00, the Austrian National 5000m championships took place. Amongst the Austrian men, On athlete Sebastian Frey crowned himself Austrian 5000m champ with a time of 13:29.04, ahead of Andreas Vojta (13:41.44) and Kevin Kamenschak (14:00.63). ​ The women’s championship was tighter and came down to the last meters of the race, with Sandra Schauer edging ahead of Cordula Lassacher to claim the crown in a time of 16:34.50. Nada Ina Pauer completed the podium for the championship in a time of 16:40.74.

You can find all of the results here. 

High-res press images are available for download here and athlete imagery here (photo credit: ©asp:ɛkt by On)
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Next up: Paris

With the event in Vienna, the On Track Night series moves on to Paris, where runners and spectators are invited to enjoy the FAST5000. A calendar highlight for the Parisian (and French) running community, the event will take place on Saturday, July 6, 2024, and features 1500 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m events. More details are here.

About On

On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.

On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.