Spar Budapest Marathon

For decades, the SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival has been considered the largest and most popular mass sports event in Hungary. Before the pandemic, the event regularly attracted more than thirty thousand participants, and in 2024 nearly 29,000 runners lined up at the start across different distances. This two-day sports festival is a true celebration of running, where not only classic marathoners but also fans of shorter distances, individual participants, groups of friends, and families can experience the uplifting joy of running together.

The courses run through some of the most beautiful parts of the city: participants can enjoy the scenic routes along the Danube, across the bridges, and through the historic streets of downtown Budapest. Every year, the organizers make sure that the course is a memorable experience not only for the runners but also for the thousands of enthusiastic spectators whose cheering and encouragement complete the festival atmosphere.

The weekend kicks off on Saturday with shorter, more easily achievable distances, offering excellent opportunities for beginners, families, and those who want to experience a running event for the first time. Runners can choose from the 10 km race, the 2.3 km “Maratonka,” the 5 km Riska Minimaratón, or the special Nestlé Family Run, where children and parents can share the joy of starting and finishing together. The Saturday program also includes the walk, designed for those who prefer a leisurely pace, as well as the 3×2 km relay, which is a fun challenge for groups of friends or workplace teams.

Sunday is reserved for the festival’s main event, the SPAR Budapest Marathon, covering the classic 42.195 km distance. In addition to the marathon, several other races complement the program: the Marathon for Pairs, where two runners share the distance; the four-person marathon relay, providing a team experience; the INTERSPAR 30 km; and the SPAR 14 km, which also poses a serious challenge yet can be completed with a shorter training period.

The organizers place special emphasis on involving the spectators as well. Along the race routes, thousands of fans cheer on the runners, while music and community activities enhance the atmosphere. Everyone is encouraged to join in – if not as a runner, then as a supporter – since clapping and cheering provide invaluable strength for those on the course.

Date: October 10–11, 2026 (Saturday–Sunday)
Location: Budapest, downtown and Danube-side routes
Entry / Registration: Advance registration required on the official website. Fees range from HUF 2,400 to HUF 39,000.

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