2nd Zala Running Festival

"Szaggasd az aszfaltot!"  ("Grind the asphalt!") is the motto of this event in western Hungary.

You can choose to grind either 3km, 10km or 21km of asphalt. Start and finish are in the village of Bagod near Zalaegerszeg, the capital of Zala County.

The area is hilly but the route is flat and fast. You run on an out-and-back course on a nice bike path along the River Zala and the railway tracks.

The turning point of the half marathon is near Zalalövő, a village on the edge of the lovely Őrség National Park. Zalalövő (called "Salla" in Roman times) was an important town on the Amber Road, an ancient trade route for the transport of amber across Europe. Excavations of Roman buildings can be seen in the village.

The event is organized by experienced ultra runners, and as you can see in the video on the event website the atmosphere on the narrow bike path is excellent.

In 2008, races were held over longer distances. Zita Kis and Roland Lakatos won the 24km race, Nóra Nóvak and Bálint Gadányi were the fastest 15km runners.

Country: Hungary

Venue (Map): Bagod (Zalaegerszeg 9km, Varaždin 86km, Graz 122km, Maribor 125km)

Date: 25 October 2009 (Sunday)

Distance: 3km, 10km, 21km; children 500m

Start time: 10.00 (500m); 10.15 (10km and 21km); 10.20 (3km)

Start and finish: at the István Fekete Primary School

Entries: entries in advance by e-mail, payment on the day; entries on the day from 8.30 to 9.45

Entry fees: 1000 HUF (ca. 4 EUR); 500 HUF (under 18yrs); no entry fees for children under 14yrs

Race centre: István Fekete Primary School (Fekete István Általános Iskola), Kossuth Lajos utca 15, 8992 Bagod

You get: a souvenir, goulash party after the race, home-made pastry, professional photo service, free accommodation in the school

Prizes: medals to the first 3 in the categories

Showers and changing facilities: yes

Presentation: 13.30

Number of finishers 2008: 82 (3km), 45 (15km), 18 (24km)

Event website (in Hungarian): zaszse.hu

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