The 41st Telekom Vivicittá officially kicked off on Saturday with shorter family and festival races, starting with the sold-out SUHANJ! race featuring 900 participants. Over the two days and across 11 distances, more than 38,000 entries were registered for the largest recreational sporting event of the spring, breaking all previous participation records.
Held in perfect running weather, the event transformed Margaret Island into a vibrant festival venue and the epicenter of movement and running from the very first day. The area was filled with huge crowds of spectators, enthusiastic supporters, and family members. Traditionally, the opening Saturday is a celebration of shorter distances, families, and beginner runners. The program of the 41st Telekom Vivicittá began with the SUHANJ! Foundation race, which drew such high interest this year that it was declared sold out days in advance. The joint start of 900 participants—including both athletes with disabilities and able-bodied runners—perfectly set the tone for the two-day event, demonstrating that the joy of movement belongs to everyone.
“The Telekom Vivicittá has always been much more than just a sporting event: it is a celebration of health, togetherness, and the city itself. It is an incredible feeling to see this vibrant energy on Margaret Island and to know that more than 38,000 people have registered this year for our city-protecting run, which began four decades ago. The event not only shows how large it has become, but also how wonderfully diverse our running community is. Young and old, people with disabilities, and experienced runners all stand together at the starting line today. The Telekom Vivicittá has never been this big—I wish everyone a great run and lifelong experiences over these two days. This weekend, everyone is a winner who chooses movement and active recreation,” said Árpád Kocsis, Managing Director of the Budapest Sports Office (BSI).
Festival Atmosphere and Sightseeing Run
Saturday is all about those choosing shorter challenges: festival runs and the 7-kilometer Midicittá offer an ideal opportunity even for less experienced runners. Music points set up along the course provide a special experience not only for participants but also for the large crowds accompanying them.
No matter which distance participants choose, the weekend races also offer a sightseeing running experience. Along the routes, runners cross the bridges of the Danube, admire the view of Buda Castle from the riverbanks, take in the Pest panorama, and pass by Europe’s third-largest parliament building.
Sunday Brings Longer Distances and a Street Music Festival
While Saturday focuses on shorter distances, Sunday will highlight longer challenges: runners in the 10-kilometer race and the classic half marathon (21.1 km) will take over the city. Both runners and supporters can look forward to a true musical festival along the course, with 20 music and cheering points creating an incredible atmosphere and rhythm.
The 41st Telekom Vivicittá has mobilized a historically large crowd: the field of 38,000 participants includes runners from 1,310 Hungarian settlements and 111 countries across five continents (with more than 4,000 international runners), all coming to Budapest to celebrate movement and spring together this weekend.
