Budapest Marathon

Registration is open and first-come, first-served with no lottery. You can sign up online, and a charity entry option is also available if you'd prefer to guarantee your spot through a fundraising commitment. The entry window closes September 30, so don't leave it too late.

Yes, the Budapest Marathon is a Boston qualifier. If you run a time that meets the BAA's current standards, you can use it as your qualifying result.

The time limit is 5.5 hours. Runners need to complete the course within that window to receive an official finish.

The course is close to net flat overall, but it accumulates around 680 feet of total gain through rolling stretches and bridge crossings. It's not a billiard-table flat course, but it's broadly PR-friendly if you pace the early bridge rises sensibly.

Race day in mid-October tends to start in the mid-to-upper 40s°F and warm to the low 60s by the afternoon. Expect a cool morning that calls for a throwaway layer, and be prepared for wind along the exposed Danube riverbanks, which can affect your effort on the return leg.

Recent editions have seen around 7,400 finishers, making it a mid-sized international marathon with enough atmosphere to feel lively without the logistical crush of the largest city races.

The start is at Pázmány Péter sétány at ELTE University on the Buda side of the city, close to the Danube. Staying centrally in Pest or Buda near the river puts you in easy reach of the start area.