You can find the timetable here.

The event takes place at Pázmány Péter Promenade, near ELTE Budai Campus.

• From Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station): Take tram 17 or 61 to Móricz Zsigmond körtér, then take tram 4 to Petőfi híd budai hídfő, and walk on Pázmány Péter Promenade (approximately 600 m).
• From Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station): Take metro M4 to Móricz Zsigmond körtér, then take tram 4 to Petőfi híd budai hídfő, and walk on Pázmány Péter Promenade (approximately 600 m).
• From Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station): Take metro M3 to Corvin negyed, then take tram 4/6 to Petőfi híd budai hídfő, and walk on Pázmány Péter Promenade (approximately 600 m), or take tram 4/6 to Petőfi híd budai hídfő, and walk on Pázmány Péter Promenade (approximately 600 m).

Click here to see the BKV (Budapest Transport Company) schedule.

Arrive by bicycle; we provide supervised bicycle storage on the event day!

Parking: There are few parking spaces in the surrounding streets, which fill up early in the morning. It’s better to choose more distant but secure parking options. Larger parking areas near the race center:

• Paid parking at the Kopaszi-gát parking lot; from here, it’s about an 800-meter walk to the race center.
• Free parking at the Lurdy Ház parking lot; from here, take tram 1 across Rákóczi Bridge for 2 stops (Infopark stop), and then walk about 500 meters to the race center.

The event center will be set up in the northern block of the ELTE Lágymányosi Campus.

At the event venue, in the race center:

• On October 13th, between 12:00 and 18:00
• On October 14th, between 7:00 and 18:00
• On October 15th, between 7:00 and 8:30

You will be allowed to approach the bib pick-up tables as soon as one becomes available. The bib distribution tables are not organized by specific bib numbers, so you can approach any available table. IMPORTANTLY, please have your bib number ready when you join the line at the tables.

If you don’t know your bib number, you can look it up next to your name in the starting list, corresponding to the appropriate distance.

Participants completing their first marathon are entitled to wear a special bib with the inscription „MY FIRST MARATHON.” Request this bib during the bib pick-up (those who indicated it during registration will receive it automatically along with their individual bib). This special bib should be worn on the back.

Dressing Rooms:

The men’s dressing room will be set up in the southern block of ELTE Lágymányosi Campus. The entrance will be through the doors on the side facing the main stage. The location for the women’s dressing room will also be in the same building. The entrance will be through the doors on the side farther from the Danube.

Cloakroom:

The cloakroom tents will be set up in the grassy area next to the northern block of ELTE Lágymányosi Campus. In the tents, you can leave your belongings according to your bib number range, which will be indicated with signs. Place the cloakroom tag under your bib number. The runner needs to detach the tag from the bib in advance and secure it to the bag using the safety pin provided in the race kit, ensuring it won’t fall off. It’s recommended to fold the tag along the perforation for easier detachment. You can leave your bag only at the tent corresponding to your bib number, but you don’t need to wait for the organizer there; you can independently place it in the tent’s designated area, separated by ropes. Our colleagues will return your bag after you reach the finish line, according to your bib number.

OPENING HOURS:

Bag drop-off: between 7:00 and 8:30 Bag pick-up: between 11:30 and 15:00

Attention! We do not take responsibility for valuables left in the cloakroom.

Bicycle Storage:

On-site, we will set up the bicycle storage on the Danube side of the southern block of ELTE Lágymányosi Campus.

Restrooms:

You can use the restrooms located in the basement near the men’s and women’s dressing rooms. Mobile restrooms can be found near the start/finish area, and mobile urinals will also be available for men. Along the route, you will find mobile restrooms at the refreshment stations and relay points, and mobile urinals will be available for men as well.

Before the start, please position yourself in the designated start zone according to your planned pace (minutes per kilometer) to avoid interfering with other runners.

• 1st Zone – Within 4:30 (within 3:10:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘1’ on your bib, before the bib number)
• 2nd Zone – Between 4:30 and 5:00 (between 3:10:00 and 3:30:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘2’ on your bib, before the bib number)
• 3rd Zone – Between 5:00 and 5:30 (between 3:30:00 and 3:52:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘3’ on your bib, before the bib number)
• 4th Zone – Between 5:30 and 6:00 (between 3:52:00 and 4:13:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘4’ on your bib, before the bib number)
• 5th Zone – Between 6:00 and 6:30 (between 4:13:00 and 4:34:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘5’ on your bib, before the bib number)
• 6th Zone – Above 6:30 (above 4:34:00 marathon time) (marked with a ‘6’ on your bib, before the bib number)

The markings for the start zones are the same for individual marathon runners, 4-person relays, and marathon duos. For relay teams, the pace of the first team member is considered when indicating the planned pace.

At this event, everyone must position themselves in the start zone that corresponds to their indicated planned pace.

This is to reduce the congestion in the first kilometers after the start and unnecessary overtaking. When runners with similar paces start together, the beginning of the race will be calmer and more predictable.

The placement in the start zone corresponding to the planned pace will be assisted by an adhesive label placed on the bib, which will be checked when entering the zone. The number on the label matches the zone number. For relay teams, the zone sticker will be placed on the team’s bib. Everyone can only position themselves in the start zone corresponding to the sticker on their bib. If you haven’t indicated a planned pace, you can request a sticker at the race center before the start. Without a start zone sticker, you can only position yourself in the last start zone. The flag indicating the pacer’s target time will always be placed at the end of the corresponding time zone, so you should stand in the area toward the start gate. After entering, proceed toward the start gate to allow those coming behind you to also position themselves in the zone. The gates to the start zones will open 20 minutes before the start and will close 5 minutes before the start. After that, participants can only position themselves at the back of the field. If you encounter a runner with an incorrect sticker in your start zone, kindly ask them to choose a start zone corresponding to their expected finish time to avoid chaos and potential accidents.

Rules for Participants with Wheelchairs or Handbikes: If they complete the course under their own power, they can start from the front of the field, 1 minute before the official start. They must position themselves at the start gate from the route side, at the latest 5 minutes before the start. Upon entering the start line, they must sign a declaration that they will not overtake the lead motorbike accompanying them. They can proceed at their own pace from a designated point on the route to the finish line. Wheelchair users and handbike participants completing the course with assistance can position themselves in the zone corresponding to the indicated pace during registration.

Staggered Start at the 38th SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival:

Participants in the marathon distance will be started in multiple waves, with a 3-minute interval between each wave. At the front of each upcoming wave, organizers will be present to lead the group to the start line. Approximately 1.5 minutes after reaching the start line, each wave will be initiated, and the same procedure will be followed for later waves.

The gates to the start zones will not be opened between waves!

Belongings left in the start zone will be collected immediately after the start and donated to the Hungarian Red Cross for charitable purposes.

Distance: 42.195 km (26.219 miles)

Route: Pázmány Péter Promenade – Budai Alsó Quay – Entrance to Döbrentei Square Quay – Várkert Quay – Ybl Miklós Square – Apród Street – Attila Road – Alagút Street – Clark Ádám Square – Main Street – Jégverem Street – Bem Quay – Árpád Fejedelem Road – Northern exit of Margaret Bridge – Margaret Bridge – Jászai Mari Square – Southern exit of Jászai Mari Square to the Quay – Lower Quay of Pest – Közraktár Street – Fővám Square – Liberty Bridge – Szt. Gellért Square – Műegyetem Quay – Pázmány Péter Promenade – Dombóvári Road – TURNAROUND (before the entrance of Lágymányosi Bridge) – Dombóvári Road – Budai Alsó Quay – Árpád Fejedelem Road – Serfőző Street – Árpád Bridge (Southern side, two traffic lanes) – Schulek Frigyes Promenade – Hajós Alfréd Promenade – Rendőrség útja – Schulek Frigyes Promenade – Árpád Bridge (Southern side, two traffic lanes) – Népfürdő Street entrance – Népfürdő Street – Moszkva Promenade – Vizafogó Street – TURNAROUND – Vizafogó Street – Népfürdő Street – Dráva Street exit to the Quay – Lower Quay of Pest – Entrance to St. István Park Quay – Újpesti Quay – Northern exit of Jászai Mari Square – Lower Quay of Pest – TURNAROUND – Lower Quay of Pest – Közraktár Street – Fővám Square – Liberty Bridge – Szt. Gellért Square – Műegyetem Quay – Pázmány Péter Promenade

Kilometer Markers: The marathon kilometer points on the route will be indicated by a sign placed at a height of 2 meters. This allows you to monitor your progress according to your planned and trained pace

Successful finishers will be aided by pace runners:

• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 3 hours and 30 minutes (with a consistent pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 3 hours and 45 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 4 hours (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 4 hours and 15 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 4 hours and 30 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 4 hours and 45 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 5 hours (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 5 hours and 15 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)
• Pace Chart for a Target Finish Time of 5 hours and 30 minutes (with a gradually slowing pace)

• Individual refreshment drop-off will be available on-site at the event center, on October 15th, no later than 45 minutes before the start.

• At the refreshment stations along the route, we will provide 1 cubic meter collection containers primarily for collecting empty cups. You will find these containers on both sides of the route, following the last refreshment table.

• The last container will be placed 50 meters after the end of the station, and this will be indicated by a separate sign. Please make sure to dispose of any waste from the refreshment station into this container.

• Any waste generated along the route should not be scattered. Please place it in the containers provided at the refreshment stations.

• At the refreshment stations, we will not hand you cups filled with water or isotonic drinks. You are responsible for taking these from the tables yourself. Under no circumstances should you place used, empty cups back onto the refreshment tables!

• Refreshment stations can often pose challenges. Do not attempt to squeeze between two runners for a quick drink or snack. Adhere to basic etiquette during the race as well. Wait your turn and remember that there are often fewer people towards the end of the station. Take only what you need, as there may be runners behind you who need refreshments even more.

• If weather conditions warrant, we may set up additional temporary water stations along the route.

• After crossing the finish line, you can collect your medal first, followed by your finisher’s package.

5 hours 30 minutes net time (aligned with the start time of the last wave)

The sweep bus follows the pace of the pacemaker finishing in under 5:30:00. Anyone overtaken by the sweep bus must board it, their bib number will be marked, and they will not be allowed to enter the finish area.

Sweep bus pace:

The timing provider is AGNI-Timing.

The timing is done using UHF chips attached to the back of the bib number. Please read the information about chip usage!

Bib Number Wearing Rules: The timing is conducted through timing mats (antennas) placed on the ground, which detect the signal transmitter placed on the bib number from a distance of approximately 2-3 meters. The timestamp is recorded when the strongest signal is detected (when passing over the mat).

To ensure successful recording of individual times, please observe the following rules:

The bib number must be worn visibly throughout the race, on the abdomen/chest area. (Bib belt holders are allowed.) Covering or concealing the bib number is prohibited. Do not remove, fold, or pierce the chip located on the back of the bib number. Everyone should ensure that they wear their own bib number during the race. After crossing the finish line, please leave the timing point as soon as possible

Marathon distance: We will award the top 1-3 male and female runners.

The awards ceremony will be based on the order of arrival at the finish line (gross time). The results on the website’s list (based on net time) may differ from this order.

The best Hungarian results achieved on certified courses are as follows:

Male: 2:12:10 – Csaba Szűcs – 1993, Paris Female: 2:28:25 – Nóra Szabó – 2023, Seville

1st-3rd place wheelchair and handbike male and female competitors: material prizes

The age categories also serve as categories for the Hungarian amateur championship among participants.

The awards ceremony will take into account the time results of Hungarian participants, and all relevant competitors will be notified.

In determining the amateur championship rankings, in the adult categories (M18-M30, W18-W30), only the results of amateur runners (those who did not participate in the 2021 and 2022 marathon national championships) will be considered.