21st Plus Budapest International Marathon Report

Originally the 21st PLUS Budapest Marathon was planned for 1st October – finally the political event, demonstrations in Budapest caused the putting of the race off for 15th October. This change in the date didn\’t influence the atmosphere of runners and supporters. A marathon for individual runners and relay teams, a 30 km, a minimarathon, a fun run and a family run – all these races were held on the same day – there were 11 500 participants on the event.

A great, sunny weather, a real indian summer, great for running, welcomed the runners in Sunday morning in the City Park. The first start was at 9.40 when young and beginner runners complete a 3.5K distance in the park. The main attraction of the day came then: the marathon starters collected in the start zone and they were waiting the sound of the boom of cannon. The field was reached as far as more hundred meters. The most excited people were the runners who have run the first marathon in their life – we counted more then 100 of them.

However most of foreign runners could not start the race because of the postponing, more then 300 participants from 31 foreign countries could start on the race. Most foreigners came from Finland, England, Italy and France, but there were representatives from USA and Japan.

More then 1700 individual runners start on the 42 km distance and another 1700 runners complete the 42 km in a 3 or 5-member relay team. It was the first time when runners can start on a 30 km distance from the point of the 12 195 m of the marathon. Participants could start according their running speed, so they could join the marathon runners with the same rate.

The companions weren\’t bored because either, they could enjoy the family day that was held on the Felvonulási Square from the morning.

A runner words: \“I want to congratulate you and your team on the magnificent well organized race event. For me it was the first marathon and I will remember it in my heart. The city is as beautiful as the people itself. It\’s a lovely city with lot of history. I know for sure that I will visit the city again so I can see more of it. Many thanks from me to all of you that made the event possible and see you next time…

Results:

* 21. Plus Budapest International Marathon (42.195 km).
o Men
1. TÓTH, Tamás (HUN) 2:24:27
2. REVELIAN KAHURUZI, Oswald (TAN) 2:24:49
3. ODHIAMBO, Jackton (KEN) 2:26:01
4. ÁDÓK, Roland (HUN) 2:29:11
5. PULSZKY, Lajos Zoltán (HUN) 2:35:05
6. GÖRÖZDI, Máté (HUN) 2:41:58
o Women
1. FÖLDINGNÉ NAGY, Judit (HUN) 2:59:13
2. VARGA, Éva (HUN) 3:05:26
3. KOVÁCS, Réka (HUN) 3:18:08
4. KOVÁCS, Fatima (HUN) 3:21:23
5. TÓTH, Csabáné (HUN) 3:21:24
6. DR. BELLÉR, Zsuzsanna (HUN) 3:26:14

* Plus Budapest 30 km.
o Men
1. SZEKERES, András (HUN) 1:51:59
2. ANTALÓCZI, Ferenc (HUN) 1:59:46
3. LELKES, Gusztáv (HUN) 2:09:26
4. HAJNAL, László (HUN) 2:09:27
5. LEHOCZKY, Pál (HUN) 2:0928
6. BAJOR, József (HUN) 2:09:54
o Women
1. KOCHNÉ Szilágyi, Erika (HUN) 2:25:45
2. DR. PIROS, Zsuzsanna (HUN) 2:28:19
3. NAGY, Enikő (HUN) 2:32:28
4. EGÉSZ, Anna (HUN) 2:40:48
5. BIRGÉS, Borbála (HUN) 2:42:31
6. EHMANN, Nikoletta (HUN) 2:42:31