Budapest Marathon 2014

Start of the race at Hősök tere (Heroes' Square)

I never imagine that i would one day run a Marathon in Eastern Europe, especially in the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary.

My friend Laszlo whom i met few year ago at TNF100 Thailand, invited me to run in his city Marathon. Thank you Laszlo for being a great host in your country.

It wasn’t planned and frankly it was a last minute decision. I was planning to run a Ultra Trail in Switzerland last weekend, but my Swiss’ friend was away in Netherland. The stars were aligned perfectly for me to run my first road Marathon in Eastern Europe.

It was like a leap of faith, i didn’t really know much about Hungary but i took this chance of a lifetime adventure with both hands. I took the flight from Charleroi airport (south of Brussels)right after work on Friday and arrived in Budapest airport just right before midnight. Laszlo was waiting for me at the airport one hour earlier. Thanks for waiting Laszlo.

I registered the Marathon a week before the race and Laszlo help me to pick up my bib on Friday. You can even register the Marathon on the race day, how convenient.

This year race date was changed in the eleventh hour from the usual Sunday to Saturday due to Mayor election. The race starts at 11:00 am, the weather was too warm for European standard 29 Celsius, it’s like a summer weather here.

Budapest is a two city, City of Buda and City of Pest with Danube river smack in the middle. The race start at City of Pest going around the city, crossed the famous chain bridge towards city of Buda and ending the marathon run back at Városliget (City Park)in the city of Pest.

This Marathon is quite popular in Europe, there are more foreigner running the Full Marathon than the local. (3,300 out of 5,700 marathon runners are foreigners). I met many of Laszlo friends right before the start of the Marathon, apparently this retired Police officer is very famous in Hungary.

I guess i started the Marathon too fast and paid dearly in later stages. Overall Budapest Marathon route is quite flat and not as hilly as Brussels, however too many u-turn in it’s route for my liking. The weather plays an important part to finish a good marathon, the perfect weather for Marathon is between 10 – 15 Celsius.

When i reached the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge (a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary) i smiled like a mad man, i quietly said to myself – i made it here in Eastern Europe, Hungary and blessed to be able to pursue my passion.

The famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the river Danube between the western (Buda) and eastern (Pest) sides of Budapest

I started a bit faster in the first half, the strategy was to get in more km in early stages of the race before the temperature get too warm. I stopped at every water stations, one cup for drinking - one cup on my head, it was a warm day.

Hit the wall, arghhh at 30km. Both quads trashed and cramped badly, wanted so bad to stop but continued with run-walk-run, more walks at the end. I never cramped at road Marathon, i guess zero mileage from finishing the Brussels Marathon a week earlier is NOT a good idea. Definitely very lack of serious training mileage!

With Budapest Marathon’s Race Director. He gave me special early bird price, thank you.

From then on, it’s a survival game to finish this race. Enjoyed and took it all in, my first experience running in Hungary.

Once more, nearing the finish line, i smiled and grinned from ear to ear crossing that finishing line. I made it again, another Marathon finish and enjoying life at it’s finest. The announcer said my name and country as i cross that finishing line at Városliget (City Park).

Thank you Budapest and Laszlo for being my host in your beautiful country.

Statistic.

• 23,450 total runners (42km, 30km, relay, 10km)
• Full Marathon 42km runners: 5,700
• International registration (3,300).

An over-distance race. AIMS certified course.

Marathon Splits.
9.5 km - 48:08
21.1 km - 1:51:35
33 km - 3:10:42
42.78 km - 4:26:07

Interesting facts about Budapest Marathon.

István Kocza is a World Champion in blind folded Rubik Cube Fixing, and also a committed runner, who runs each year the Budapest Marathon in his self-made Rubik Cube costume.

This year he finished in 4 hours 41 minutes, what is a nice result if you take into consideration that he is basically inside a box.

By the way did you know that the Rubik’s Cube was invented in Budapest by the Hungarian Ernő Rubik in the 70’s?

GEAR USED:

• Salomon X Scream 3D Shoes
• Salomon Exo Calf
• S-Lab Advanced Skin 1 Belt Set
• Salomon Short
• Salomon Black Visor
• Garmin 910XT
• Optic Nerve Sunglasses – Model Vahstro