The jubilee 40th SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival on October 11–12 is set to become Hungary’s most attended mass-participation sporting event ever. Based on registration figures, the Budapest Sport Office (BSI) is setting a new benchmark for recreational sport in Hungary, and—by the number of individual marathoners—placing Budapest among Europe’s leading marathon capitals, alongside long-standing events such as Vienna and Warsaw.
As Hungary’s largest mass-participation sports festival, the 40th SPAR Budapest Marathon will break new ground. While participation exceeded 30,000 before the pandemic and reached 29,000 again in 2024, the running community is expected to hit a historic high in 2025.
“At the beginning we only dreamed of an event that has now become reality: in its jubilee year, the 40th SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival has stepped up a level. The participation record is not only a national milestone; by the number of individual marathoners it’s also an international entry ticket into the elite of big-city marathons, placing Budapest among Europe’s most attractive running-tourism destinations. This success is shared: we are grateful to the running community for decades of trust—without it, this sporting milestone would not have been possible,” said Árpád Kocsis, Managing Director of the Budapest Sport Office.
A Festival for Everyone
The event’s appeal lies in its diversity. Over two days, the programme offers something for every age and fitness level—from shared walks and family runs to the popular 5 km and 10 km races, all the way to the classic 42.2 km marathon. Whether you’re an individual runner, a group of friends, or part of a corporate or school team, the goal is the same: to experience the incomparable joy of moving together.
Budapest Takes Centre Stage
On the weekend of October 11–12, 2025, running will take over the capital. As in previous years, the race centre, start and finish will be located on Pázmány Péter sétány by the ELTE Lágymányosi Campus. Runners will once again enjoy a stunning route that showcases Budapest’s most beautiful areas, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, with panoramic views along the Danube.
The Budapest Sport Office warmly welcomes everyone who wants to be part of this historic sporting event—whether as a runner or a supporter. Let’s celebrate the joy of movement together at Hungary’s largest running festival!
