25. Spar Budapest Maraton 2010
The marathon in the beautiful city of Budapest is Hungary's most popular running event. Last year, almost 6,000 took part in various races for individuals and relay teams, and another estimated 3,000 in the 3.5km fun run.
You can expect lots of street musicians along the course and enough drink stations with friendly helpers, but spectator support is usually very limited.
The entry fees are pretty high but they include free entry to the wonderful thermal pools of the Széchenyi Baths after the race. Those who have previously participated in an event organized by the "Budapest Sport Office" (BSI) get large discounts on the entry fee (but no ticket to the pools).
The baths are near the start and finish in the large City Park (Városliget), a nice leafy place with a fairy-tale castle and artificial lakes.
The route shows you all the major city sights. Most of the race travels along the River Danube, which offers great views of the magnificent Parliament building and the Buda Palace, but you might find the long out-and-back section to the industrial area in the southern parts of the city a bit dull.
Apart from the ramps leading up to the bridges across the Danube the route is generally flat and fast. However, it includes five turning points, and it can be quite windy on the embankments along the river.
In 2009, the marathon winners were Moses Chepkwony of Kenya (2:25:16) and Andrea Szederkényi-Takács of Hungary (2:44:32).
Country: Hungary
Venue (Map): Budapest, City Park
Date: 26 September 2010 (Sunday)
Race distance: 42.2km (AIMS certified); 42.2km Relay (for 3 or 5 runners); 30km; 7.5km (Mini Marathon); 3.5km (Fun Run)
Start time: 10.00 (marathon and marathon relay); 10.15 (7.5km); 10.50 (3.5km); 30k runners join the marathon field at the 12.195km-mark
Start: Hősök tere (Heroes' Square)
Finish: 56-osok tere, near Olof Palme sétany (Olof Palme Promenade)
Entries: online, by post or by e-mail; late entries in the race centre until 26 September
Entry fees (42.2km): 55/65/80 EUR* (until 23 July/until 19 September/late entries)
* Discounts are available for those 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: Felvonulási tér (Saturday 25 September from 11.00 to 17.00 and on the day from 7.00 to 9.45)
You get: T-shirt, medal, timing chip rental, pasta party (on Saturday), finisher bag, massage, free entry to the Széchenyi Baths after the race (until 17.00)
Prizes: ?
Showers and changing facilities: Széchenyi Baths
Number of finishers 2009: 2388 (full marathon), 416 (30km), 487 relay teams, 1441 (7.5km)
Event website (in English): www.budapestmarathon.com
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.