Race centre

The race centre can be found at City Park (Városliget), in the Petőfi Hall (Petőfi csarnok), address: Zichy Mihály út. You can get there on foot from Heroes' Square (Hősök tere). Opening hours:

• 03. oktĂłber 2009: from 12:00 pm to 18:00 pm
• 04. oktĂłber 2009: from 7:00 am to 9:45 am

Warning! There will be no safekeeping of any objects in the race centre. Dressing rooms can be reached by 5-10 minute 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 Petőfi Hall during opening hours. You will find a desk especially for relay and ekiden marathon runners. Obtaining your start number is easier on presentation of the confirmation letter. Should you need more help our staff will gladly assist you.

Start package

Besides your start number you will also get the start package, including a T-shirt with a unique logo, the race chip, the Pasta Party ticket, a sponge for refreshment and other presents. On top of these the entry fee includes refreshment at every 4 km, first aid, finisher bag, medal, result booklet and certificate with your own finisher picture.

The chip

The single and relay/ekiden marathon times will be measured by ChampionChip system. Teams will get their start bag and start number together, and also a single chip for each team. Own ChampionChip can be used, but only one chip will measure one team's time. Please give us the number of the own chip on the entry form or at the race centre at the latest. The chip will require a deposit of 1000 HUF or 5 € which will be handed back to you after the race in exchange for the chip. Naturally, if you are 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.

This chip, attached to your ankles by velcro, will have to be exchanged between runners at the relay points.

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

Attention: the chip cannot be used at any other races. The chip must be returned the latest until 16.00 o'clock in the specific tents assembled at the finish area, not in the race centre. Foreign runners will have separate tents to go to!

How to fasten the chip? Please fasten the chip to your ankle by the velcro we give you together with the start package. It is important for all members, because the result list will only contain the name of groups that have worn the chip and have net time.

The measuring system of our chips uses only sensors below the height of 40 cm, thus recording only chips attached to the ankle. This is why you should not carry the chip-band in your hands. Teams who finish without the system recording their time will not be included in the result list. Those teams not wearing their chips correctly (for example in hand) will be penalised with 10 minutes of race time.

Changing rooms, safekeeping

Paying the original entry fee means that you can change clothes at the Széchenyi Bath. Those male runners, who paid discount entry fee, have to use the dressing room in Petőfi Hall, safekeeping in Petőfi Hall also. Changing rooms for all women will be in Széchenyi Bath.

Attention: wardrobe can be found at a separate area inside the dressing rooms of Széchenyi Bath. 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.

Pasta party

It has become a yearly tradition to hold the Pasta Party on Saturday, on 03. oktĂłber 2009 from 16:00 pm to 18:00 pm, for which we provide tickets to all individual and relay/ekiden marathon runners so everybody can load their muscles before the race. You get your ticket when you obtain your start number. Friends and relatives are also welcome to attend the party, the price of the ticket for them is 4 €/person or 800 HUF/person. Tickets can be bought at the race centre or in front of the Pasta Party tent.

Pasta Party will be held on Felvonulási tér (next to Heroes' Square).

Start

Start gate will be set up on Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) for all distances. Starting times (times are subject to change!):

• 9.20 and 9.30 - Fun Run (4K) starts (there are two starts, because of the huge number of runners)
• 10.00 - Marathon and Marathon Relay/Ekiden start
• 10.15 - Minimarathon start
• approx. from 10.30 - 30 km start according to the runners personal speed. Start at 12 195 km of the marathon course.

The Heroes' Square is located about 1000 meters from the race centre. The start area will be divided separately according to planned race times. Runners must position themselves in the appropriate section. Sections of race time: -3:00, 3:00-3:45, 3:45-4:30 and 4:30+. 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.

The course may vary slightly according to road reconstructions and the construction work on metro line 4.

Heroes Square (Hősök tere) - Andrássy Street - József Attila Street - Bécsi Street - Petőfi S. Street - Károlyi M. Street - Irányi Street - Belgrade quay (Belgrád rakpart) - Pest Lower Quay - Garibaldi Street Lead up from the quay - Kossuth Square - Szalay Street - Balassi B. Street - Széchenyi Upper Quay - Jászai M. Square - Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) - Margaret Island Central Road (Margitsziget, Központi út) - Árpád Bridge Pest Drive Out - Árpád Bridge - Árpád Bridge South Drive Down - Népfürdő Street - Dráva Street Drive Down - Pest Lower Quay - Belgrád Quay - Fővám Square - Közraktár Street - Boráros Square - Petőfi Bridge South Drive Up - Petőfi Bridge - Petőfi Bridge South Drive Down - Pázmány P. Promenade - Dombóvári Street - Budafoki Street - TURNING POINT (at Építész Street) - Budafoki Street - Dombóvári Street - Pázmány P. Promenade - Petőfi Bridge North Drive Up - Petőfi Bridge - Petőfi Bridge North Drive Dwon - Boráros Square - Közraktár Stree - Fővám Square - Belgrád Lower Quay - Pest Lower Quay - TURNING POINT (at the Dráva Street Drive Up) - Pest Lower Quay - Szent István Park Drive up - Újpesti Upper Quay - Széchenyi Upper Quay - Balassi Street - Szalay Street - Kossuth Square - Alkotmány Street - Bajcsy Zs. Street - Váci Street Overpass - Váci Street - under the Ferdinánd Bridge - Lehel Street - Dózsa György Street - Állatkerti (Zoo) Street - Állatkerti (Zoo) Promenade - Heroes Square (Hősök tere) - Kós Károly Promenade - Városligeti Promenade - Paál László Promenade - Olof Palme Promenade

Relay points

Switch points of Marathon Relay teams: switch point will be placed at their designated location at the Pest lower quay of the Danube. Getting there: the easiest way is to take underground nr. 1 from Heroes Square (start) until Vörösmarty tér (the end station) and from there 3 minutes walk towards the Lanchíd (Chain Bridge).

Switch points of Marathon Ekiden teams: 1st changing point: as described in the above changing point for the Relay, from there walk 20 minutes on the quay towards the Margaret Bridge, then on the bridge to the island. 2nd changing point see switch point for the relay. 3rd changing point: from the start take metro nr 1 until Deak tér, switch to metro nr 2 (red line) until Kossuth tér (1 stop) and from there tram nr. 2 until the stop called Millenáris Kultúrális Központ (Millenium Cultural Center) and from there Lagymanyos Bridge is 10 minutes walk. Switch point nr. 4 close to switching point nr. 2.

Travelling to switch points and from there back to the finish has to be managed by every runner on their own.

Street musicians on the course

Running 42 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 30 music-points with more than 90 buskers.

Time limit

The time limit is 5 hours and 30 minutes. The closing bus that runners can get up on if they suffer an injury or are forced to give up will follow the race. 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 up 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 on the bus 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:

• 10K: 1h 18m
• 20K: 2h 36m
• 30K: 3h 55m
• 40K: 5h 13m

Age limit: we accept entries from runners who were born before 1st October 1989.

Asics pace makers

There will be Asics pace makers who run 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30 times to help amateurs better achieve their own planned time. Each time span will have two runners assigned to, with attached colour balloons to they can be seen from a distance: 3:30 - red balloons, 4:00 - yellow balloons, 4:30 - blue balloons.

Refreshment stations

The official refreshment isodrink of the race will be ISOSTAR

There will be twelve refreshment stations along the course, making sure you can acquire the necessary amount of liquid during the race. The first and last stations will only provide water while all other stations offer banana, lemon, glucose, isodrink 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: 4.7 km - 8.2 km - 12.6 km - 16.6 km - 20.4 km - 24.1 km - 28 km - 32.2 km - 34 km - 37 km - 38.6 km - 41 km and in the finish. In the light of the construction of metrol line 4 these might change slightly.

Toilets will be set up in the start/finish area and beside each station.

Personal refreshments

Runners may also use their own refreshments. Should you prefer these, please submit them at the race centre on 03. oktĂłber 2009 at the desk where you pick up your start number or on 04. oktĂłber 2009 from 7:30 am to 8:45 am next to the entrance of the Petőfi Hall.

Attention: we will provide blank stickers and markers at the area so you can label your refreshments. Make sure you write your start number and station number on the label because without this information we cannot get it to the appropriate place for you. We cannot help in giving own refreshments to the runners. Unused bottles and containers of such will be disposed of after the race.

First aid

First aid will be available from start to finish, at multiple locations throughout the course. These are: an ambulance that will follow behind the race, another ambulance will be ready at the Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) in the relay switch area, doctors will constantly circle up and down the course, and a final first aid station will be set up at the finish line.

Finish

The finish will be located near Olof Palme promenade (in City Park). Relay runners will have to enter a separate lane. All marathon and 30 km 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 other company may not enter this area. We ask all runners to return their chips to one of the collecting tents. There will be medal graving in the finish area in case you would like to have your name and time onto the medal.

Massage after the race

At the finish area, masseurs will be waiting for those who wish to relax their feet. The massage is free; its duration is about 10 minutes.

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 after showing your start number. Entrance will be on the circus side of the bath. 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 their fellow visitors. You can go to the bath till 17 o'clock.

Results

Net time is being measured by ChampionChip timing system. Results may be viewed on the race site on 04. oktĂłber 2009 from 22:00 pm . We send result booklet and certificate with own finisher picture to all marathon finishers in December.

Awarding: there will be an absolute awarding system between marathon and 30km 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. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. 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 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.

Programs

The day of the marathon is also a family day and multiple programs will await adults and children throughout the whole day on Felvonulási tér. Various artists will perform on stage all day long and you can visit the sport-exhibitions or have a meal in one of the different restaurants nearby. A performance of fireworks will be closing the event at 8.00 p.m. in the evening.

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

• Minimarathon: 7.5 km race. Start: 10.15.
• Have you got a child? Fun Run was created for them: 4 km race. Starts: 9.20 and 9.40.
• Walking Day in City Park: 3.5 km, start from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m continuously
• Plus Walking: 4 km, start at 9.45 (after the second start of Fun Run).

Don't miss the common training with your running mates before the Marathon! Breakfast Run on 03. oktĂłber 2009 on Margaret Island (Margitsziget). Distance: 5 km. Start: 9 a.m. Race centre: Margaret Island Athletic Centre (Margitszigeti Atlétikai Centrum).

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 located at the Petőfi Hall

Entry fees

Amount is determined by the date of payment!

Relay

Ekiden

In case you have already took part on our race, please contact us at budapest.run@t-online.hu for a discount entry fee.