Vienna Marathon Day: Record waltz thrills couples under ice in 2025!

Vienna Marathon Day: Record waltz thrills couples under ice in 2025!

On April 6, 2025, the 42nd Vienna City Marathon set a new world record in waltz dancing. On this icy cold Sunday morning, the goal was to get at least 2,025 couples dancing the waltz. The new record surpassed the previous record of 1,966 couples, set in Dresden in 2013 in the Swan Lake Waltz.

The dance took place as part of the Vienna City Marathon and included not only the marathon participants, but also 200 additional dancers and dance students from the Kraml dance school. The record was achieved with the traditional Danube Waltz. It should be noted that after the goal of 2,025 couples was reached, no further judging was conducted, so the exact number of couples who ultimately danced was not revealed.

Star percussionist was missing

A notable aspect of the event was the absence of star percussionist Martin Grubinger, who was unable to take part in the marathon for health reasons. His absence represented a loss to the event as he was scheduled to be one of the most prominent artists at the event.

The waltz celebrated on this day in Vienna has a long and remarkable history. It is considered the oldest of the modern civil ballroom dances and derives its name from the Middle High German “walzen”, which means “to turn”. This dance form found its way into society during and after the Congress of Vienna from 1814 to 1815 and quickly became popular.

The history of the waltz

The waltz emerged from dances of protest and provocation by the common people and was spread throughout Europe by Napoleon's armies. According to the ethnomusicologist Curt Sachs, who analyzed the social upheavals related to the waltz in his work “A World History of Dance,” the waltz was perceived as an expression of youthful strength and communal enjoyment. This type of dance was fundamentally different from the older dances such as the minuet.

In his writings, Goethe also describes how he and his family were taught the waltz, which underlines its importance in civil society. In the 19th century, various variations of the waltz emerged, including the French waltz and the Boston. The waltz reached its peak of popularity during the Congress of Vienna, when those present were gripped by dance fever. Composers like Lanner and Strauss played a crucial role in promoting and disseminating the Viennese waltz.

Overall, the 42nd Vienna City Marathon not only offered an opportunity for sporting activity, but also an impressive homage to the waltz, which is deeply rooted in Viennese culture. The new world record is a testament to the vitality and community spirit that this dance embodies to this day.

Small newspaper reports that the 42nd Vienna City Marathon set a new world record in waltz dancing. Additional details can be found at SN and contributes to the historical significance of the waltz Folk dance.