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Saturday 4th August 2018 Budapest Half Marathon No 10 Hungary.

Saturday 4th August 2018 No 10
Richard 02:02:53 Jackie 02:19:42
  We planned to avoid July and August due to the hot weather and the high hotel and flight prices but as this was an evening run we decided to give it a go . I had heard that Budapest was hot during the summer and it was ! 35 degrees plus during the day dropping 10 degrees at night . The half marathon started at 10pm and it felt ok at least when we were stood about in our Rochdale Harriers vests before the start . To be honest the heat wasn't a major problem , it felt a bit oppressive when we were running through the built up areas but when it opened up the cool evening breeze was very welcome . Plenty of drink stations as well .
   This was the first event where the website was not translated into English and I couldn't find the half marathon route or the elevation . It all became obvious after the first 7km , it was a 3 lap course and you could enter a 7km distance a 14km distance or a half marathon . I honestly never twigged this beforehand . Each lap took us up a 2km hill to Buda Castle before returning to the Danube giving spectacular night time views of the City . It was daunting knowing there was 2 laps left after the first 7km but I like laps and it reminded me of cross country , the first lap is the worst , the second somehow feels shorter and you can always do the last lap . My lap times are below I obviously faded on the last lap putting me over the 2 hrs but still pretty pleased .



We had a great time in Budapest and a night run was something different , it was well organized and I guess over 2000 runners took part . It is very much a night time city and it was in full swing when we were heading back at 2 in the morning . Way past our bed time.




















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