Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The SPAR Budapest Marathon is a strikingly scenic race along both banks of the Danube, framed by the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle district, and the city's grand bridges linking hilly Buda with flat Pest. The course mixes fast riverside flats with the undulations of the Buda side, giving it more bite than a pure record layout. Held in October, it offers cool autumn conditions and a large international field drawn by the spectacular setting. The bridge crossings and waterfront views are the highlights, with the climbs rewarding measured pacing. It suits runners who want a beautiful, atmospheric river race over a flat-out fast time.
Course Insight
Budapest straddles the Danube, pairing the flat boulevards of Pest with the hillier Buda side and a series of bridge crossings that add honest undulation to an otherwise quick course. Pace the climbs to Buda by effort and don't overspend on the flat early miles. October conditions are usually crisp and fast. The river setting is genuinely beautiful, a tempting distraction from the work. Run the undulations with restraint and the scenic route stays a friend.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to very flat.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 85m
- Elevation loss
- 85m
- Highest point
- 119m
- Lowest point
- 102m
- Net elevation
- 0m
- Start
- Pázmány Péter Promenade
- Cutoff time
- 5h 30m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:13:11 — Sándor Szendre (Hungary), 1985
- Women's
- 2:28:51 — Ágnes Sipka (Hungary), 1986
Race History
The SPAR Budapest Marathon was first held in 1984, tracing both banks of the Danube past the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle district, and the city's grand bridges. Its strikingly scenic course, mixing fast Pest flats with the hills of Buda, gave it a distinctive character among European marathons. From its founding it grew into Hungary's premier road race. Held each October, it now draws a large international field to one of the continent's most beautiful river settings.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD)
- Best area to stay
- District V for central hotels near the route, the Castle District in Buda for atmospheric stays, and District VII for lively value options in the ruin-bar quarter.
- Getting to the start
- The start is on Pázmány Péter Promenade at the Buda end of Petőfi Bridge; take tram 4 or 6 to Petőfi híd, budai hídfő and walk south along the promenade to the start.