This was my first international marathon. It was well organized from start to finish. Plenty of refreshments along the way as well as various street musicians and spectators for encouragement. The most beautiful scenic city with friendly people. I will definitely consider this race again.

my husband and i arrived from canada the day before to run this marathon. it was well organized with plenty to drink at the aid stations and we were encouraged with the signs at every km. the only discouraging aspect of the race is that it started at 10 am and the temperature was already too warm. an earlier start say at 8 am would have helped us with an overall better time. the sights were wonderful. budapest is a beautiful city and i would recommend this race. nice to meet fellow canadians along the way.

I have run over 80 marathons - some 4 a year - and I rate your marathon in the top 3 with New York and London. The course was a fine tour of the major city sights. All the helpers at the drink stations and the finish were friendly and charming. I will be back next year. One request: a little cooler please.

Brendan Cradden
Bearbrook Joggers UK

The organization's great and everything about the race runs very smoothly. Pasta party improving over the years, info widely available and organizers are quite ready to help. The course is not an easy and fast one though. It's picturesque and gives visitors a great tour, but it's got its challenges. There are 10 180-degree turnabouts, 5 bridge crossings, an overpass and several other small, but tiring climbs. The bulk of the course runs by the Danube, which makes it fairly windy, even if by the start there isn't even a breeze. From 22K to 30K theres an awfully long straightaway, usually into a headwind, and that's usually a killer. Refreshments great, crowd small but very loud. Course well cordoned off so no more car/tram/bus problems. After-race goody bag great, t-shirt nice but not of great quality.

I ran this marathon as my very first full marathon and was completely bowled over by the experience. I've run another since and still look back with awe at how fast the race seemed to go by, how much energy the spectators had, and how at the end of the race I couldn't wait to come back the next time.

The course is very pretty, though a little dull on the second time around the southern loop of the Danube. Cobblestones at the halfway mark were a bit of a drag, but they ended within 5K. The race is very well organized, and I found the aid stations to be just enough, though other runners I did this race with would have preferred more water stations. One warning: there is a 25K station that you pass early in the race (I think at 12K)... word to the wise: don't take water early, you'll get yelled at!

Overall, I would definitely run the race again. We had no problems not speaking the language and found the locals friendly and outgoing. Good luck and enjoy some Bull's Blood wine and Hungarian goulash while you are there!

I wish the Marathon courses spent more miles in the old city and less along the rivers. Same goes for beautiful Budapest.
If you are a vegetarian, skip the Pasta Party and their 'only-choice' prepackaged carton pasta boxes with meat. When I tried to take a second cup of water, I was yelled at. Head instead for a terrific Vegetarianum Restaurant which is a fantastic choice for its fantastic quality and is fantastically inexpensive!
The Marathon course is OK, though not that flat as they claim (there are quite a few bridges.) You compete sometimes with stinky cars on the road, and with not at all stinky trams, but you may have to stop to let them cross the course! Spectators, though very few, were enthusiastic. Others wait for a bus or tram with their backs to the runners. Pre-race and post-race goody bags are terrific. Bathhouse after the race is great but bring the towel or you will have to walk back drenching wet, the way I did!

I ran Budapest in Sept 2001 actually on my 30th birthday in the hope of breaking the 3hr mark. Failed by 7mins which was a little disapointing. Apart from that mishap i found the race and atmosphere to be fantastic. The first and last 5miles there were lots of enthusiastic crowds but the rest of the race was sparsely populated. Organisation of the Marathon was perfect and the cold beer and dip in the hot spas at the end were great. The Hungarians really know how to put on a great race, things can only get better.

I enjoyed this friendly well organized marathon. I booked my entry via the internet and it all worked out ok. The course is on the banks of the River Danube and it's pretty flat. You cross over it on the many bridges which give have good views of Budapest. Crowds are small but enthusiastic. Goodies include Medal, T-shirt, socks and picture & certificate follow in the post. It's a really good marathon capable of fast times and a great city to visit.

My seventh marathon and the one I enjoyed most: a great experience. The run along the Danube is splendid and offers a beautiful city tour. The organisation is outstanding and much better than the one you'll find in larger runs: the team will help you find hotels and facilitate airport lifts if you need; water+isostar+banana/orange stations every 4 km is a great luxury and the few spectators will support you enthusiastically. Definitely one to run.

I can't tell you how wonderful my trip to Budapest was. The people and the city are just great. Easy to get around, English spoken nearly everywhere. The expo, the race, and post race activities were all very well organized. There was not one meter along the route that wasn't beautiful. There was even a boat playing music sailing up and down the Danube. And there was a cold beer in the post race goody bag! There was never a moment during this race, even at mile 20 that I would have wanted to be anywhere else doing anything else.