Last weekend, the energy of the Vienna City Marathon swept through the capital, and Vienna International School was right at the heart of the action. Around 60 Secondary students and 20 teachers stepped up to volunteer, becoming the welcoming face of Vienna for nearly 50,000 runners arriving from all corners of the globe. Displaying incredible proactivity and warmth, the VIS team distributed refreshments and placed hard-earned finisher medals around the necks of exhausted but proud athletes. Far more than just a standard Service learning activity, this weekend proved to be an inspiring celebration of cross-divisional community spirit.
The two-day event provided unique opportunities for different grade levels to support participants across various distances. On Saturday, Grade 9 and Grade 10 students lined the course to cheer on younger athletes, including Primary and Middle School students competing in youth races ranging from 800 to 5,000 meters. By Sunday, Grade 11 students joined the volunteering effort to handle the monumental task of awarding medals to the 40,000 participants tackling everything from the 10,000-meter run to the full marathon and team relays.
The event also featured plenty of internal school camaraderie. VIS entered 12 relay teams composed of Secondary students and teachers, all of whom successfully completed the course. In a heartwarming display of school spirit, these runners crossed the finish line to receive their coveted medals directly from their own peers and students.
The marathon organizers expressed immense gratitude for the tireless dedication of the VIS volunteers, who maintained their high energy across both days. Their resilience truly shone on Sunday afternoon when an unexpected storm hit the city. Instead of letting the weather damp their spirits, the students assembled the loudest, most cheerful welcome committee of the weekend. They provided a triumphant, unforgettable finish for the final runners crossing the line in the middle of the downpour, offering a brilliant conclusion to this iconic event.
Ultimately, it was a beautiful community milestone filled with inspiring moments, characterized by older students congratulating younger ones, and students proudly presenting medals to their teachers and parents. Thank you to all the volunteers and runners who represented VIS so brilliantly on the city stage.