Kilometres of Keszthely

Lake Balaton, often called the 'Hungarian sea' due to its immense length of 79 kilometres, and the pretty university town of Keszthely provide a nice setting for this running event. You have the choice between a half marathon, a full marathon, and a relay marathon for teams of four runners.

After the start on the main square you will run a lap through the town of Keszthely and the park of the imposing Festetics Palace before heading down to Lake Balaton. Half marathoners will run two laps, marathoners three laps on the cycle path along the lake. The finish will be at the pier. The course is traffic-free, accurately measured and certified by AIMS.

The marathon winners in the last edition were Gábor Szabó (2:39:24) and Szilvia Lubics (3:09:26). Attila Szekeres won the half marathon in an impressive 1:05:58, Ágnes Hadnagy was the first lady home (1:34:58).

Country: Hungary

Venue (Map): Keszthely, at Lake Balaton (Varaždin 124km, Maribor 160km, Graz 175km, Vienna 200km)

Date: 7 June (Sunday)

Race distance: 21.1km; 42.2km; marathon relay (4 runners: 11.7+12.8+12.8+4.7)

Start time: 9.45 on Fö tér (main square)

Finish: at the pier at Lake Balaton (10 minutes walk from the start)

Entries: advance entries online or by post or fax and bank transfer (details on the event website); late entries on 6 June from 14.00 to 17.00 and on the day from 7.00 to 9.15

Entry fees (half marathon): 3500/5000 HUF (until 30 April/late entries)

Entry fees (marathon): 4500/6000 HUF

Entry fees (marathon relay): 6000/8000 HUF

Deposit for the chip: 5000 HUF

(1000 HUF are approximately 3.70 EUR.)

Race centre: Balaton Congress Centre and Theatre, 3 Fő tér (open 6 June from 14.00 to 17.00 and on the day from 07.00)

You get: pasta party on Saturday evening; T-Shirt; transport of personal bags to the finish

Prizes: first 3 M/F (21km, 42km), first 3 relay teams (men or mixed), first 3 female relay teams

Showers and changing facilities: in the race centre and at the finish

Presentation: 14.00

Number of finishers 2008: 188 (half marathon), 45 (marathon), 26 relay teams (marathon)

Event website (in Hungarian and English): www.keszthelyikilometerek.hu

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