Vienna Maraton Day: Record waltz inspires 2025 couples under ice!

Vienna Maraton Day: Record waltz inspires 2025 couples under ice!

Wien, Österreich - On April 6, 2025, the 42nd Vienna City Marathon set up a new world record in waltz dancing. On this icy, cold Sunday morning, the goal was to move at least 2,025 couples for waltz dancing. The new record exceeded the previous record of 1,966 couples, which was set up in Dresden in the Schwanensee Walzer in 2013.

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 accomplished with the traditional Danube waltz. It should be noted that after the target of 2,025 couples was reached, no further evaluations were made, which is why the exact number of couples who ultimately danced were not announced.

star percussionist was missing

A remarkable aspect of the event was the lack of star percussionist Martin Grubinger, who could not take part in the marathon due to health reasons. His absence was a loss for the event because he was one of the most prominent artists for the event.

The waltz, which was celebrated in Vienna that day, has a long and remarkable story. He is considered the oldest of the modern bourgeois social dances and derives its name from the Middle High German "rolling", which means "turning". This form of dance found its way to society during and after the Vienna Congress from 1814 to 1815 and quickly became popular.

The history of the waltz

The waltz was created on protest and provocation dances of the common people and was spread throughout Europe by Napoleon's armies. According to the music ethnologist Curt Sachs, who analyzed the social upheavals in relation to the waltz in his work "A World History of Dance", the waltz was perceived as an expression of young strength and community pleasure. This type of dance is fundamentally different from the older dances like the menuett.

Goethe also describes how he and his family were taught in the waltz, which underlines its importance in bourgeois society. Various varieties of the waltz, including the French Waltz and the Boston, were created in the 19th century. The waltz experienced the peak of popularity during the Vienna Congress when those present were recorded by dance fever. Composers such as Lanner and Strauß played a crucial role in the promotion and spread of the Viennese waltz.

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

Kleine Zeitung reports that the 42nd Vienna City Marathon has set up a new world record in the waltz dancing. Supplementary details can be found at Sn and the historical meaning of the waltz at folkstanz .