A hero’s welcome Kaiser’s-Plus Budapest Marathon, Hungary. 28 September 2003 By György Muladi The Budapest Marathon was born under the old socialist system and, despite change all around, it has been a constant in the city’s sporting calendar ever since. Its success is based upon good organisation and traditional Hungarian hospitality for foreigners. It became a full AIMS member in the third year. Since then the course has shifted occasionally, but it now takes centre stage through the middle of Passing under Szabadsághíd (Liberty Bridge) The Parliament seen from the Buda side both Buda and Pest. On 14 April 1984 the Budapest became reality when 1500 runners, Margaret Island – a wooded haven by which they cross back to Pest. Marathon started out in life from a third of them from 30 foreign and the favourite spot for training Margaret Bridge, Margaret beside the Népstadion (People’s countries, started and finished the in the metropolis. Many of the 800 race at Heroes’ Square – the foreign runners came from France, Island, and Árpád Bridge follow Stadium). It was the first time that up, with lots of sights in between, a marathon was run through the equivalent of Berlin’s Brandenburg Holland or Sweden, and as many Gate. The colonnaded Square is as 85 of them from Iceland. including the Hungarian Hungarian capital. Before then Parliament and the Academy of there was no mass marathon in lined by statuary commemorating the heroes of 1000 years of There was the usual pasta party Sciences. Throughout the route Hungary, where ‘amateurs’ pitted on Saturday afternoon, then on great panoramic views greet the themselves against ‘professionals’. Hungarian history and forms a most imposing backdrop. Sunday, 4000 marathon runners runners; sometimes particular The sponsor was IBUSZ, the started in bright sunshine and architectural sights but always Hungarian state travel agency, and The course was also modified to perfect conditions. The relay runs against the beautiful natural 18 foreign runners lined up for its present form: one smaller and have even became a favourite backdrop of the Buda Hills. that first race. one larger lap on both sides of the variation since last year: In the The second lap is similar but In 1986 the Budapest Marathon Danube, along the river baton run, three people share embankments. This way the route 12km/21km/8km stages, with both smaller, and eventually the heroes became the first AIMS race in of the marathon return to Heroes’ Eastern Europe – and almost 1000 is almost perfectly flat and goes exchanges taking place at the past the finest attractions of eastern end of the Lánchíd (Chain Square, and a hero’s welcome. runners entered, from 22 While they rest spectators can find countries. This was also the also Budapest - considered one of the Bridge). Five runners take part in most beautiful cities in Europe. Ekiden Relay, further dividing the various programmes, concerts and first time that the pasta party was goods at the finishing area, where organised on the day before the middle 21km section among Only the bridges present themselves. a big stage, a wellness-expo and marathon. gradients, but they are easily other exhibitions offer something The Budapest Sport Office, overlooked in comparison to the The course of the marathon is for everybody. formed in 1989, took over unique sights they offer (the now fixed: it passes through Pest organisation of the race, and has Lánchíd or ‘Chain Bridge’ is more on the broad tree-lined Andrássy than 100 years old), and the views ut, part of the World Heritage Site Result since grown to handle a dozen MEN: other races in Budapest and to be had along the entire length linked with the Opera House, then of the course. to the fine old Lánchíd across the 1 László NAGY HUN 2:24:39 elsewhere in Hungary. In 1990, a 2 Lajos BERECZ HUN 2:26:34 Danube to Buda. major turning point in the political The Millennium year edition of 3 Béla HORVATH HUN 2:27:15 system allowed events to set an KAISER’S-PLUS Budapest It then turns south on the lower 4 Zsolt ZSODER HUN 2:29:11 entry fee for the first time. Marathon surpassed all previous 5 Roland ADOK HUN 2:29:17 embankment, passing the 6 Gábor SZABO HUN 2:30:37 The race changed both its main records. There were 2100 ramparts of Buda Castle, WOMEN: sponsor and its location in 1993, Hungarian runners and 800 Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Buda 1 Judit FOLDINGNE NAGY HUN 2:41:56 and welcomed a special hero: Fred foreigners from 33 countries who Hills. At Lágymányosi Bridge, the 2 Gabriella BENKO HUN 2:59:10 entered this 15th race. Lebow. The organiser of the New newest Danube crossing in 3 Katalin FARKAS HUN 3:04:24 York Marathon, and a founder Budapest, runners turn back 4 Yolanda MOOS SUI 3:05:13 Germans presented the majority 5 Ágnes CZIBOK HUN 3:06:42 member of AIMS, was of towards a more historical bridge, (124), but apart from the United Szabadsághíd (Freedom Bridge), 6 Krisztina MIKE HUN 3:08:55 Hungarian origin, and took a States (28) runners also came nostalgic trip around the 21km from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New- Around the back of Heroes Square course. The combined entry in Zealand, Kenya and Japan (9). The marathon, half marathon and 5km following year fewer people came fun run that year was 11,000 - from from overseas because of the 29 countries. September 11 attacks, but this did not affect attendance for the In 1996 the Budapest Marathon Police World Championships was reborn, thanks to the support hosted by Budapest in 2001, and of a German food distribution won by the Ethiopian policemen company (KAISER’S and PLUS). ahead of their Saudi colleagues. The most important change was that the race shifted from spring to Budapest’s Day of Running this early autumn – a very pleasant year attracted 15000 runners, time of year in Budapest. Another including participants of varied milestone was passed in 1998, ages running over shorter courses when the city authorities declared from 800m upwards. The great the race to be a special event, and weather, the cheerful feeling and the start and finish area was the well-practised organisation did moved to the city’s most beautiful the job yet again. park, Városliget. For the first time there was a Fred Lebow’s Hungarian dream 5km Breakfast Run held on DISTANCE RUNNING January - April 2004 33.