The city centre of Budapest will be covered in red on Sunday, December 7th: more than ever, 4,500 costumed runners will flood the streets during the jubilee, 10th PENNY Santa Claus Run. The red crowd, flowing on the banks of the Danube, in guaranteed snowfall, is one of the favorite attractions of Budapest residents and tourists every year. Participants not only collect kilometers, but also fill the SOS Children's Villages' puttonya with gifts.
The Santa Run – or as it is known around the world – is a tradition that started in the Baltics half a century ago and has now become an indispensable part of the Advent season. The Budapest Sports Office is organizing the fun community run for the tenth time this year, and the number of entries has never been greater: all distances are sold out, so on Sunday 4,500 runners in red and with white beards will start from Sóház Street in artificial snowfall, and then return to the same place.
Family holiday and international community
The sight of the red-clad crowd has now become an iconic image of winter Budapest. The runners come from more than 460 settlements in the country, but international interest is also significant: 320 foreign Santas from 50 countries are wearing running shoes. They are mostly members of foreign communities living, studying or working in our country, who are also getting involved in the life of the city with this event. The most active this year are the Japanese (50 people) and the Koreans (45 people).
The event is also a true generational meeting: more than a quarter of the participants are under 18, and in fact, 15 percent of the field is made up of children under 10, so even the youngest ones get their share of the festive kilometers.
– The 10th PENNY Santa Claus Run is not a classic running race: it is a huge, moving street ball where sport and festive atmosphere meet. Seeing thousands of people moving at the same time in snowfall and red clothes – this is the experience that makes it worth doing. It is no wonder that this event is a favorite of the Budapest public and tourists year after year, as the flowing red crowd provides an amazing sight. With all this, we also send the message that sport and an active lifestyle are important in winter, and in fact, they bring a lot of joy. – he said Arpad Kocsis, the Budapest Sports Office its managing director.
Run and help! – A gift in the basket
THE 10. PENNY Santa Run is not only about movement and spectacle, but also about giving. The organizers ask participants to bring a gift for children in need. On site, in the auditorium of the Lónyay Street Reformed High School, a huge puttony is waiting for the SOS Children's Villages donations for its residents. They are particularly happy to receive non-perishable food, cleaning and hygiene products, unopened bedding, unused pacifiers, baby bottles, diapers and cutlery.
Program and distances – Everyone's Santa Claus
The organizers will provide the costume – dress, hat and beard – for all participants. The races will start at 11 am on Sóház Street, starting with the 900-meter Family Run for the youngest children and their parents. This will be followed at 11:30 am by the 2.3 km distance for those who come primarily for the atmosphere and jogging, and then at 12:30 pm the 5 km race will start, where the Santas can set a more serious pace.
