Budapest (Hungary), Sunday 2 October 2011

The 2011 edition of the Budapest Marathon features a modified course which stays closer to the inner city areas of Hungary's capital. In previous years, it travelled further into the southern districts.

The route is very scenic as it passes many of the major sights of the "Pearl of the Danube".

The start is on the monumental Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) on the edge of the large City Park, which is a good place to warm up before the race and to relax after the run.

Most of the race is run along the banks of the River Danube, partly out-and-back. Participants cross two grand Danube bridges - the photogenic Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the graceful Liberty Bridge. Apart from the ramps leading up to the bridges the route is flat and fast.

In 2010, the marathon had over 2600 finishers. Ethiopian-born Ashenafi Erkolo, who lives in Hungary, celebrated victory in a time of 2:23:13. Simona Staicu of Hungary led the women home in 2:37:47. Several thousand runners took part in various shorter races and relay competitions.

Country: Hungary

Venue (Map): Budapest, City Park (Bratislava 204km, Vienna 247km, Zagreb 350km, Ljubljana 468km)

Date: 2 October 2011 (Sunday)

Race distance: 42.2km (individual runners; 3- and 5-person relay); 30km; 7km; 3.5km

Start time: 10.00 (42km); 10.15 (7km); 10.55 (3.5km); 30k runners join the marathon field at the 12.195km-mark

Start: Hősök tere (Heroes' Square)

Finish: 56-osok tere (Felvonulási tér), near the start

Entries: online, by post or by e-mail; late entries on the day

Entry fees* (42km): 40/55/65/80 euros (until 10 Jan/8 Aug/19 Sep/2 Oct 2011)

* Discounts are available to runners who have previously participated in a BSI event.

Timing: ChampionChip - use your own chip or rent a chip (no rental fees but 1000 HUF deposit)

Race centre: 56-osok tere (Saturday 1 Oct 11.00-17.00, on the day 7.00-9.45)

You get: pasta party (on Saturday), T-shirt, timing chip rental, finisher medal, finisher bag, massage, free entry to the Széchenyi Baths after the race (until 17.00)

Prizes: first 6 M/F

Showers and changing facilities: yes

Number of finishers 2010: 2658 (42km), 491 (30km), 321 relay teams (5-person), 194 relay teams (3-person), 1449 (7km)

Event website (in English): www.budapestmarathon.com

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.