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Hungarian Parliament, Budapest
Open entry
Registration status to be confirmed
📍 Budapest, Hungary
© Florian Fèvre · CC BY-SA 4.0

SPAR Budapest Marathon

≈ 10 October 2027 · Budapest, Hungary

Estimated date — the organiser has not announced the exact day yet

sceniciconiccertified
Distances
5K · 10K · 14K · 21.1K · 30K · 42K
Profile
Flat
Surface
Road
Slots
—
Visa
Schengen
Time limit
5:30

The Budapest Marathon crosses the Danube several times, passes Buda Castle, the Parliament building, and runs across Margaret Island — nearly the entire postcard list of the Hungarian capital in one race. The course record has stood since 1984, from the very first edition of the modern era — today's winners run noticeably slower because the race has long since become a celebration for thousands rather than just an elite contest. Aid stations unexpectedly hand out lemons — a local tradition not every visiting runner loves.

Course records

Men
2:15:04
1984 · Zoltán Kiss
Women
2:37:47
2010 · Simona Staicu

Weather in October

8–18°C
mixed conditions
Mid-October brings 8–18°C, but it varies wildly year to year — some editions had cold, rainy starts, others surprisingly hot, cloudless days.

Starter pack 2025

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Finisher medal with a unique design every year
  • Bag with sponsor samples
The entry fee includes race-day medical insurance; at the finish there's sparkling cherry-flavored water — an unusual choice for non-Hungarian runners.

Pacers & bib pickup

No pacers announced for this race.
Bib pickup
Race center, ELTE Lágymányos campus
day before the race only
The exact pickup schedule depends on your chosen distance — organizers recommend arriving at least two hours before your start.
Registration opens
—
Registration closes
—
Current price
~€73 (2025)
Status checked
—

Run with locals

An easy run with a local club the day before the race — the best way to shake out the legs and meet the city.

Running Latte Club
  • Wed—Run + coffee · 5–15 km
All clubs in Budapest →Run a running club?

Course map

Route not added yet

What’s nearby

Walking
Kopaszi-gát — A Danube-peninsula park right by the venue.
Rákóczi and Petőfi bridges — A few minutes' walk, part of the course.
30 minutes
Buda Castle — A UNESCO site, right on the marathon route.
Margaret Island — A car-free island park, also part of the course.
2 hours
Lake Balaton — Central Europe's largest lake, with resort towns on its shore.

Dinner before the race

Carb-loading recommendation coming later.

After the finish

Sparkling cherry-flavored water and a small snack at the finish; afterward, many head to the Széchenyi thermal baths.

Airports

BUD · 27 min

Reviews

Janae (The Hungry Runner Girl)2023

The atmosphere was unreal — music, languages from all over the world, the feeling of a big party. A live orchestra by the Opera House on the course was a real highlight.

Emily (Lattes and Runways)2017

The race was incredibly well organized from registration to results, and volunteers kept us well fueled on course. The only downside was a lack of spectators, and it was a hot day.

↗ Register
Registration status to be confirmed — check the organiser’s site