Distances

21.0975 km for individual runners

Race centre

The race centre can be found at City Park (Városliget), in the Széchenyi Bath (Széchenyi Fürdő), address: Kós Károly sétány. See map! You can get there on foot from Heroes' Square (Hősök tere), or by subway yellow line (M1). Opening hours:

• 6th September - from 12 p.m. till 6 p.m.
• 7th September - from 7 a.m. till 9.45 a.m.

Warning! There will be no safekeeping of any objects in the race centre. Dressing rooms can be reached by 5 minutes walk from here.

No start number picking up on other days!

Picking up your start number

All start numbers must be acquired at the race centre in Széchenyi Bath during opening hours. Tables will be marked according to start number (ex. 6001-6090) so you can quickly select your table. Obtaining your start number is easier on presentation of the confirmation letter. Without confirmation letter you can check your number on the startlist that will be set up at the location. In any cases our staff will gladly assist you.

Start package

Besides your start number you will also get the start package, which includes the race chip (only for single and relay half marathon runners), a sponge for refreshment and on top of these the entry fee includes refreshment, first aid, finisher bag, medal and result booklet.

T-shirt

You can buy the unique NIKE DRI-FIT T-shirt of the race for 13 € while stocks last. It is a very nice souvenir from the Budapest Half Marathon, don't miss to buy it.

The chip

The single and relay half marathon times will be measured by ChampionChip system. If you have your own ChampionChip you can submit its number to the entry personnel, at signing up, or at the latest when you acquire your start number. For those who haven't got their own chip, there is a single chip provided for the race with your start number. The deposit fee for this chip is either 5 € or 1000 HUF. This deposit will be returned to you after the race, in exchange for the chip. Naturally if using your own chip you do not have to pay this deposit. We ask all runners to check their chips at the chip-control desk.

You must use chip on the race. You may not participate in the race without having one.

Attention: the chip cannot be used at any other races. The chip must be returned the latest until 13.00 o'clock to the race centre, in Széchenyi Bath, at the same place where you picked it up. Please fasten the chip to your shoelaces. How to fasten the chip on your shoe? First you have to untie and remove your shoelaces, put your chip on it then tie it again. It's important that you should not fasten it only to your shoe or not after tightening the shoelaces. Otherwise you might lose your chip.

Dressing rooms, clothes deposit (gardrobes)

Paying the original entry fee means that you can change clothes at the Széchenyi Bath. Those male runners, who paid special entry fee, have to use the Beer-tent of Városliget (Városligeti sörsátor), with safekeeping at the same place. Changing rooms and safekeeping for all women will be in Széchenyi Bath.

Attention: wardrobe can be found at a separate area inside the dressing rooms. Your clothes are kept at the clothes deposit not the dressing room. We take no responsibility for clothes or valuables left at the start/finish area or in dressing rooms.

Start

Start gate will be set up on Kós Károly Promenade (Kós Károly sétány) for all distances. Starting times:

• 10.00 - Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay
• 10.15 - Fun Run start

The Kós Károly sétány is located about 100 meters from the race centre. The start area will be divided according to planned race times. Runners must position themselves in the appropriate section. Sections of race time: -1:30, 1:30-1:40, 1:40-1:50, 1:50-2:00 and more than 2:00 hours. Please start from the right section!

Course

The course is approved by the AIMS. It is flat for most parts, the only difference in levels are the driveways leading up and down from the bridges. The course guides the runners through the most beautiful parts of the city, next to the most famous buildings and even attractions that are part of the World Heritage, and through our greatest bridges.

Kós Károly sétány - Hősök tere (Heroes Square)- Andrássy út - József Attila utca - Nádor utca - Vértanúk tere - Kossuth tér - Széchenyi upper quay - Roosevelt tér - Apáczai Cs. J. utca - Petőfi tér - - Pesti alsó rakpart - Dráva utca felhajtó - Népfürdő utca - Árpád Bridge - Margaret Island Central Road út - Margit híd - Jászai Mari tér - Újpesti felső rakpart - Széchenyi felső rkp. - Balassi utca - Szalay utca - Kossuth tér - Alkotmány utca - Bajcsy Zs. út - Váci út felüljáró - Váci út - Ferdinánd híd alatt - Lehel út - Dózsa György út - Állatkerti út - Állatkerti körút - Hősök tere - Olof Palme sétány - TURNING POINT (a Zichy út előtt) - Olof Palme sétány - Hősök tere - Kós Károly sétány

In the light of the reconstructions of the metro line 4 the course might change slightly.

Street musicians on the course

Running 21 km is not easy and can be boring sometimes. We would like to help you with some fun, so there will be several musicians on the course. There are more than 10 music-points with more than 20 buskers.

Time limit

The time limit is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The race will be followed by the closing bus, which runners can get up on if they suffer an injury or are forced to give up. The closed roads will be opened after the time limit elapses, for this reason those who are caught up by the closing bus must get on it. Runners who give up or suffer an injury will be transported back to the race centre by the bus. Please return your chip should this be the case. It is forbidden to keep running once the bus passes you, because roads will be opened to traffic after the time limit. Part time limits:

• 6 km: 43min
• 12 km: 1h 26min
• 18 km: 2h 09min

Age limit: we accept entries from runners, who born before 2nd September 1995.

Refreshment stations

There will be six refreshment stations along the course, making sure you acquire the needed amount of liquid. The first and last stations only provide water while all other stations offer banana, lemon, glucose, isodrink (Powerade) and water. All stations supply water so you can wet your sponge while running. We ask all runners to keep their sponges with them until the end of the race. Refreshment station locations are at:

• 4,2 km Kossuth tér, Akadémia utca
• 8,5 km lower quay of Pest under the Margaret Bridge
• 12,7 km Margaret Island, Palatinus Strand
• 15,7 km Kossuth tér, Alkotmány utca
• 17,4 km beside WestEnd under the Ferdinánd Bridge
• 19,4 km Városligeti út, before the Restaurant Gundel
• and in the finish.

Toilets will be set up in the start/finish area and beside each refreshment station. There is no option for personal refreshment on the race.

First aid

First aid will be available from start to finish, at multiple locations throughout the course. These are: doctors on motorcycles that will follow behind the race, another doctors by bicycle will constantly circle up and down the course and doctors in the finish area.

Finish

The finish will be located on the Olof Palme promenade (Olof Palme sétány). Relay runners will have to enter a separate lane. All half-marathon runners will receive a unique medal and a finisher bag upon crossing the finish line. The finish area is reserved only for runners and race staff - friends, relatives and company may not enter this area. We ask all runners to return their chips to the race centre, where you picked it up. There will be medal graving in the finish area in case you would like to have your name and time on the medal.

Relaxing in the Széchenyi Bath

Paying the original entry fee means that you are authorised to have a rest in the Széchenyi Bath after the race (one of Hungary's famous thermal baths). You may enter the bath upon showing your start number. Entrance is on the Circus side of the bath, next to the main entrance. We kindly ask all our runners to take a quick shower before using the Széchenyi Thermal Baths after the race, in order to keep the water as clean as possible for the fellow visitors. You can go to the bath till 16 o'clock.

Results

Net time is being measured by ChampionChip timing system. Results may be viewed on the race site from 10.00 PM in the evening on 7th September. We send result booklet to all half-marathon finishers (only single half-marathon runners) in October.

Awards: there will be an absolute awarding system between half marathon and half marathon relay runners.

Important information

Please note: fair sportsman-like behaviour is expected of all participants. Please keep the marked route. The race number must be worn on the chest. There is no possibility for participation without chip. It is forbidden to participate in the race with skates, bicycles, dogs or other pets. Violation of these rules or not wearing a start number will result in exclusion from the race. Entries will be limited upon decision of the organiser. Entry forms will be dealt within the order of their incoming. Early submission of the entry forms will guarantee your participation in the half-marathon. Due to organizational reasons, payment of the registration fee by cheque is not possible. In case of double registration a handling fee of EUR 5 will be deducted from the amount to be refunded. Registered participants, who fail to take part in the race, for whatever reasons, may not claim a refund of the participation fee, but the registration will be valid for next year. Please make sure that your e-mail address is given correctly, otherwise it will be impossible to mail the confirmation.

Public transport

Vehicles you can take to City Park (Városliget): underground (labelled M1, the yellow line) or trolley bus number 70, 72, 74, 75, 79. More information on www.bkv.hu/angol/home/index.html

Training opportunities

There are many places of training in Budapest. Let us recommend some of these to our runners: the most beautiful and most famous ones are Margaret Island and City Park (Városliget).

Training opportunities

• Run the Half Marathon in relay team! A race for teams of 2 runners; the course, start location and time are similar to the Half-Marathon. Distances for teams of 2 members: 13.8 km - 7.3 km. Start: 10.00.
• Have you got a child? Fun Run was created for them: 3.5 km race. Start: 10.15.
• Don't miss the common training with your running mates before the Half-Marathon! Breakfast Run on 6th September on Margaret Island. Distance: 5.5 km. Start: 9 'o clock. Race centre: Margaret Island Athletic Centre.

How to register?

You can register:

• on-line, on this website
• by downloading, filling in and sending back the entry form to Budapest Marathon Organisation to Vaci út 152. Budapest-1138, HUNGARY or by e-mail to budapest.run@t-online.hu
• entering the race on the spot for foreigner runners: at "Local entries" desk.

Entry fees

Online registration to the 24th Budapest International Half Marathon will be open from December 2008! Budapest is waiting for you, please come back and visit the site later!

Future date

• 06. szeptember 2009
• 05. szeptember 2010