Budapest Marathon

26.2 miles to run from Buda to Pest

Every year since 1984, Hungary’s capital has hosted up to 30,000 participants in its marathon. The race is held between late September and early October, offering cooler temperatures after the Indian summer, ranging from 8 to 16°C in Hungary. The event also features a relay, a 30 km, a 10 km, 5 km, and a 2.3 km fun run.

The race route crosses the Danube Bridge, running alongside the river of the same name. It continues onto the peninsula, passing by the opera house and the Hungarian Parliament, taking participants through the heart of Budapest. The first official edition of the Budapest Marathon took place on April 14, 1984, with 625 men and 25 women from 18 different countries crossing the finish line. This gave the race an international profile from the start. Two years later, in 1986, the Budapest Marathon became a member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), the first in Eastern Europe. The Budapest Marathon is renowned among participants from around the world as a challenging race. Starting in Pest, the historic part of the city which, along with Buda, forms the namesake city of Budapest, the course is filled with sharp turns and bridge crossings throughout the city. These twists and turns are enough to dizzy even the most experienced runners, as some segments are traversed up to three times during the marathon. Buda, the left bank, offers picturesque views with its cobblestone streets and a castle overlooking the city. The terrain is hilly on this side of the city, unlike Pest, which is relatively flat. This requires participants to focus more on pacing themselves. The Budapest Castle, also known as the Royal Palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on a hilltop. No longer serving as a royal residence, the palace now houses the Budapest History Museum. This ascent is often dreaded by participants due to the cobblestones which make for a challenging run. Runners must reach the top, circle the building, and then head back down to the right bank. Thus, Pest assumes the role of the city’s vibrant, urban, and cosmopolitan heart. The opera house, Széchenyi thermal baths, and ruin bars enliven this popular district. This part of Budapest is also home to several of the nation’s administrative buildings and significant political landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament, which is located at the 38th kilometer of the marathon.

Both sides of the city offer stunning views of numerous elegant, often gilded buildings typical of the capital. However, the atmosphere varies greatly between the two sides. While some may prefer one bank over the other, the route provides runners with a great opportunity to adapt to changing environments.