Budapest (Hungary), Sunday 7 October 2012

Almost 3,000 runners completed last year's Budapest Marathon, which features an attractive and scenic route through Hungary's capital city.

Even more runners — around 3400 — took part in the marathon relay races.

Furthermore, about 2000 participated in the 7k minimarathon, and over 500 joined the marathon field at the 12.195km mark to run 30 kilometres.

The route is similar to the Budapest Half Marathon route, with additional long out-and-back sections along the River Danube.

Apart from a couple of bridges the course is flat and fast.

Participants pass a large number of the major sights of the "Pearl of the Danube", for instance the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building (pictured above) or Buda Castle (pictured below).

The start is on the monumental Heroes' Square on the edge of the large City Park — a nice place to warm up before the race and relax after the run.

The time limit to complete the course is five hours thirty minutes.

Country: Hungary

Venue (Map): Budapest, City Park (Bratislava 204km, Vienna 247km, Zagreb 350km, Ljubljana 468km)

Date: 7 October 2012 (Sunday)

Race distance: 42.2km (individual runners; 3- and 5-person relay); 30km; 7km; 3.5km fun run

Start time: 9.30 (42km); 9.45 (7km); 10.25 (3.5km); 30k runners join the marathon field at the 12.195km-mark

Start: Hősök tere (Heroes' Square)

Finish: 56-osok tere (Felvonulási tér), near the start

Entries: online or by e-mail; late entries on the day

Entry fees* (42km): € 50/55/65/80 (until 31 Jan/5 Aug/3 Oct/7 Oct 2012)

Entry fees* (30km): € 30/35/50/55 (until 31 Jan/5 Aug/3 Oct/7 Oct 2012)

* Discounts are available to runners who have previously participated in a BSI event.

Timing: ChampionChip - use your own chip or rent a chip (no rental fees but 1000 HUF deposit)

Race centre: 56-osok tere (Saturday 6 Oct 12.00-18.00, on the day 7.00-9.00)

You get: pasta party (on Saturday), technical T-shirt and a cap, chip timing, finisher medal (42km and 30km), finisher bag, massage at the finish

Prizes: (?)

Changing facilities, baggage storage: yes (but no showers)

Number of finishers 2011: 2984 (42km), 563 (30km), 276 relay teams (3 runners), 512 relay teams (5 runners), 1943 (7km)

Event website (in English): www.budapestmarathon.com

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.