Hungary’s largest spring recreational sporting event, the 41st Telekom Vivicittá, exceeded all expectations with record participation, overwhelming interest, and the حضور of well-known figures from Hungarian sports and public life. The two-day, festival-like event broke every previous participation record: alongside more than 38,000 registered runners, a total of around 60,000 people—including spectators and visitors—gathered on Margaret Island over the weekend. On Sunday morning, the massive half marathon field was started by Olympic champion pentathlete Michelle Gulyás and astronaut Tibor Kapu, while in the early afternoon, in a huge surprise, Dominik Szoboszlai sounded the horn to start an exclusive race named after him.
Sunday’s race day of the 41st Telekom Vivicittá focused on longer distances. The classic half marathon (21.1 km) and the 10-kilometer race took over Margaret Island and the banks of the Danube, turning the competition into a true sightseeing running experience. Participants crossed the city’s bridges, admired the panoramic views of Buda Castle and the Parliament, while 20 music and cheering points along the course provided rhythm and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
The sheer size of the field and extraordinary interest were clearly reflected in the half marathon start itself, which lasted for 34 minutes. Among those who set the runners off by sounding the starting horn were Olympic champion pentathlete Michelle Gulyás, Tibor Kapu—research astronaut of Hungary’s HUNOR program—Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, Máriusz Révész, State Secretary for Active Hungary, and Gábor Gundel Takács.
A Global Celebration of Running in Budapest
The 41st Telekom Vivicittá has officially secured its place in Hungarian sports history. First launched exactly 40 years ago in 1986, this year’s event attracted participants from 1,310 Hungarian settlements and 111 countries across five continents, including more than 4,000 international runners. Forty percent of Hungarian participants came from outside the capital.
Women dominated the field this year, making up 54% of participants. Many chose the weekend for their debut: 4,600 runners entered their very first race, while the next generation was represented by 10,000 schoolchildren, including 6,100 participants in the Sulicittá race.
“It is almost impossible to put into words the incredible energy and sense of community that defined these past two days. The 41st Telekom Vivicittá is an undeniable milestone in the event’s four-decade history. Margaret Island has never seen so many determined heroes celebrating movement and health,” said Árpád Kocsis, Managing Director of the Budapest Sports Office (BSI).
Dominik Szoboszlai Personally Starts the Szoboszlai Run
One of the most special moments of the weekend was the Szoboszlai Run, which started at 1:00 PM on Sunday. Participants were met with a surprise: at the moment of the старт, Dominik Szoboszlai, captain of the Hungarian national football team, stepped onto the stage and personally launched the race.
Only 300 lucky runners could register for this exclusive distance, each receiving a special technical T-shirt designed in collaboration with Szoboszlai. After the finish, the male and female winners were greeted by Szoboszlai himself, who presented them not only with medals but also signed footballs.
“We are incredibly proud that the 41st Telekom Vivicittá has become the largest running event of the spring, and that Dominik personally started the Szoboszlai Run this year. This not only reflects a commitment to sport but also demonstrates the power of community: a record number of participants came together for their health. We believe that connection—whether digital or human—can create real value, and this weekend is the perfect proof of that,” said Zoltán Pereszlényi, Deputy CEO for Commercial Services at Magyar Telekom, the event’s title sponsor.
15 Million HUF Charity Goal and Over 2,000 Charity Runners
The 41st Telekom Vivicittá was not only the most popular recreational sporting event of the spring but also one of the year’s major charity initiatives. More than 2,000 runners took part for various charitable causes, and donations to the nine participating organizations are expected to reach 15 million HUF.
At registration alone, runners contributed 2 million HUF to the Szent Márton Child Rescue Service, while the Élménykülönítmény team has so far raised 3 million HUF for the Bátor Tábor. The title sponsor also played a significant role: Magyar Telekom covered the entry fees of nearly 800 employees and added an extra 3 million HUF in support of the SUHANJ! Foundation. Participants of the Szoboszlai Run also raised funds for SUHANJ!. Saturday’s free, thousand-participant inclusion run was once again one of the most uplifting moments of the event. In addition to monetary donations, hundreds of pairs of running shoes and sportswear were collected on-site for those in need, with the help of the Hungarian Red Cross.
Massive Logistics and an AI Experience
Managing such a large crowd required monumental logistical efforts. Finishers were welcomed with 2,500 bananas, 5,000 liters of sports drinks, and tens of thousands of liters of mineral water, while a staff of 1,600 ensured the smooth operation of the event. Participants also received a unique digital experience: thanks to Magyar Telekom, artificial intelligence enabled every finisher to create a personalized video interview, in which Gábor Gundel Takács congratulated them on their achievement.
