With over 3,000 participants, this year's running season kicked off in a magical, true winter atmosphere with the Zúzmara Half Marathon and Running Festival on Sunday morning. Despite the bitter cold of minus 2 degrees, the number of participants broke several records for years, and the determination is further proven by the fact that the most popular distance was also the longest: more than 1,500 people completed the Zúzmara Half Marathon.
An exciting route made the winter competition even more attractive. The competitors started from Lake Omszki and ran over the Danube on the Megyeri Bridge, then returned to Lake Lupa and finally returned to the Budakalász Sports Center for the finish.
“It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces at the Zúzmara Half Marathon and Running Festival. The fact that so many people are coming and running a half marathon, 10 kilometers, or even just 3.4 kilometers in this harsh cold indicates that more and more people are choosing an active lifestyle, of which winter sports should be a natural part. You can spend a winter Sunday not only in a warm apartment! So the anniversary year has started well, in which we are celebrating several big anniversaries and we expect an exceptionally high participation in the 40th Telekom Vivicitta, the 40th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon, the 40th SPAR Budapest Marathon, as well as the 30th ALDI Women's Running Gala and the 10th PENNY Santa Claus Run,” said Árpád Kocsis, the organizer and head of the Budapest Sports Office.
He also added that spectacular promotions, programs encouraging exercise, a historical exhibition, and surprises are being prepared for the anniversary year in 2025.
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