There ideal running weather with sunshine on the 25^th Anniversary Nike Budapest International Half Marathon brought a record number of participants! More than 6100 runners started on the half marathon distance! In addition there were 900 runners on the relay and 3500 participants on the 3,5 km fun run.

Overall 10 500 runners on the race day!

Besides the Hungarian participants there 1200 foreign participants from more than 52 countries! The most runners came from England, Italy, Slovakia, USA, Finland and Germany. There were runners also from all continents, from far away countries like the US, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Venezuela.

Since 1996 Nike has been the sponsor of the race and ever since that time more than 63 000 people ran the distance! The time records of the race were set by foreign runners. In 1998 the Japanese Sejii Hamada ran 1:02:44, among women in 2000 the Roman Mihaela Botezan ran 1:10:17.

This year the winners were Hungarian athletes, Laszlo Toth, won the race with 1:04:38. The female winner Krisztina Papp finished with 1:13:13. Also, a number of Hungarian celebrities participated on the race.

The eldest participant of the race was 83 years old, the youngest 12 years old. The ratio of male and female runners among Hungarians and foreigners was identical: 71% male and 29% female.

The course of the race lead through the most beautiful parts of the city. Right at the first few kilometres, on the Andrassy Road which is part of the World Heritage, runners faced a unique music experience: 5 pianos were set up along the road playing classical music (Mahler, Liszt and Erkel) and jazz. Seeing that Nike the title sponsor states that music helps you, there were a number of music points along the road helping runners to achieve their goal!

The organisers of the race prepared with 120 000 cups of water, 3 500 litres of Powerade iso drink, 700 kg of banana, 100 kg glucose and 10 000 pieces of apples. Almost 300 people worked at the refreshment stations; overall, the event was organised with 600 workers.

The next 26^th Nike Budapest International Half Marathon expects runners on 4 September 2011!

The 2011 Marcialonga is officially ‘sold out’. No more bibs available to the 38th edition of the cross country ski marathon along the Fiemme and Fassa valleys, in Trentino region, scheduled on Sunday January 30th, 2011.

The entry limit of 6.500 participants has been reached today. ‘We are more than happy’, Marcialonga general manager Gloria Trettel claimed, ‘and next January we will welcome in the best way all the skiers, families and friends who booked their places in our race.’

Marcialonga has become an unmissable event for anyone involved in the world of Nordic sports’, Trettel added, ‘especially for Norwegians and Swedes, who all love Marcialonga more and more with each passing year.’

Having a look at the list of entries for the 2011 race, the number of skiers from Norway plus those from Sweden count up to more than half of the total registered skiers, with around 2500 Vikings who next January will colonise the Italian valleys at the foot of Dolomites. ‘Norwegians take part in our race for different reasons’, continued Trettel. ‘First of all, the landscape through which Marcialonga is set represents something absolutely unique, compared to the settings in Northern Europe. In addition, the warmth and hospitality, plus good food and wine offered by our people in hotels, restaurants and resorts, are simply amazing. I’m not being overly proud of my valley, but these are the bullet points skiers themselves consider as essential in their Marcialonga.’

Throughout history – the first Marcialonga took place in 1971 – people from all over the world have taken part to the race, and skiers from 30 countries will be gathering at the start in Moena next January as well.

‘Both Fiemme and Fassa valleys are worldwide renowned for their alpine ski resorts’, concluded Trettel, ‘and this is another important aspect not to be underestimated. Cross country ski lovers and athletes from Northern Europe often decide to book a so-called long week-end or even an entire week to enjoy both the Marcialonga days and the wonderful ski areas with friends and families.’

Next year’s Marcialonga is part of both the prestigious Worldloppet circuit and the FIS Marathon Cup, and forms the Combined Event ‘Punto3 Craft’ together with 2011 Marcialonga Cycling (May) and Marcialonga Running (September).

The ever popular Mind Body Spirit Festival, the original and largest UK event in its genre is back and even bigger than before.  From 19^th – 21^st November thousands will visit the festival at Manchester Central, attracted by the diverse range of workshops, alternative healing practices, natural products and free live entertainment.

New for 2010 – This year marks some exciting new changes; a total of eighteen workshops rather than fifteen, with seven new high profile authors and experts hosting sessions at the Manchester Festival for the very first time.  In addition Manchester Central are constructing custom built sound- proofed rooms which will accommodate the growing public interest in the festival’s workshops.  Even the timings of the workshops have been extended, with the majority now running as either a two or four hour sessions in order to deliver greater depth of information and techniques.

Stage – The free live stage area has an appeal for its sheer entertainment value alone. Expect to see continuous activity including demonstrations of Yoga (The British Wheel of Yoga North West), Tai Chi, Wild Goose Qigong and the riveting Chinese Lion Dance from the Northern Dragons. There will also be Latin fever Salsa, Sufi, Nia and belly dancing, Whirling Dervishes, and a special Gong playing extravaganza.  Featured amongst the many musical performances is one of Manchester’s favourite inspirational choirs “Gorton Voice”, local musician Cathie, alongside Tim Wheater, The Ganda Boys, Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and others.

Exhibitors – Amongst the many stalls there will be plenty to experience, purchase or learn about from the ever popular aura photography to reflexology sandals, clothing to natural beauty products.  All this plus beautiful art, psychic readings, crystals and healing practices.  You’ll also find spiritual associations, yoga products, energy bracelets, Buddhas, artefacts, vitamins, books, music, jewellery and much, much more.

Meditation – Throughout the weekend visitors will also have the opportunity to soothe their spirit by experiencing free guided meditations, and on Friday 19th only there will be an additional opportunity to experience walking a Labyrinth.

The physical activity of walking a Labyrinth keeps the left brain engaged whilst allowing the right brain to open up to a deeper, more creative and spiritual understanding of ourselves and our behaviours.  Many discover valuable personal insights whilst walking the lines of Labyrinth, a ritual that has been in existence for many years.  For example, one of the most famous Labyrinths can still be seen Chartres Cathedral in France.

Workshop presenters new to Manchester with the Mind Body Spirit Festival are: Ursula James (Clinical Hypnotist, author, Chair of the Medical School Hypnosis Association regular guest on TV and radio), Diana Cooper (author and Angel expert),  Alla Svirinskaya (medically trained celebrity healer and acclaimed author), Eva Fraser (internationally known as the Facial fitness guru), Peter Grunwald (author of best selling title Eyebody -  how to have natural eyesight), Madison King (Holistic therapist & expert in energy exercises), Heidi Sawyer (author and Sci-Fi Channel’s psychic development consultant for Medium TV show).

In addition to the newcomers other Mind Body Spirit workshop presenters include:- Barefoot Doctor (columnist, author and Tao’s expert), Jason Chan (Tai Chi and meditation Master), David Wells (Daily Mirror Astrologer, author, medium and regular TV guest), Glennyce Eckersley (author and Angel expert), Gill Edwards (Clinical Psychologist and best-selling author), Barbara Meiklejohn-Free (Shaman, Seer and author), Richard Lawrence (best-selling author and former Observer columnist), Jimmy Petruzzi (celebrity personal trainer and performance coach), Sara Lou-Ann Jones (Master Trainer in Hypnotherapy, NLP and Life Coaching), Carolyn Cowan (Kundalini Yoga teacher) and Robert Currey (Astrologer and founder of the Equinox system).

The Festival will be running eighteen workshops over the three days examples of some topics below:-

How to thrive in uncertain times – Barefoot Doctor
Improve your eyesight naturally – Peter Grunwald
Transform your life with hypnosis – Ursula James
Motivation and goal setting – breaking limiting beliefs – Jimmy Petruzzi & Sara Lou-Ann Jones
Exercises for a non-surgical facelift – Eva Fraser
How to be a mid-life Goddess, increasing your energy – Madison King
An Angel to Guide You – Glennyce Eckersley
Introduction to Infinite Tai Chi – Jason Chan

Mind Body Spirit Manchester Festival –  19^th to 21^st November 2010

Manchester Central

Petersfield, M2 3GX (venue tel: 0161 834 2700)

Friday to Sunday 10.00am – 6pm

Ticket prices: Friday £7.00 on the door (£5 advance bookings)

Saturday & Sunday £9.00 on the door (£7.00 advance and concessions*)

*Concessions for senior citizens, disabled, unemployed, NUS Students and nurses with relevant supporting ID.  Accompanied children under 15 (free)

Visit www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk for other details.

A Rainy Marathon with a Wonderful Atmosphere

3150 marathon runners decided to run the 25th Anniversary SPAR Budapest International Marathon despite the rainy day! Runners started the race at the start pistol of the Hungarian President, Pal Schmitt. The drummers, the speaker and the cheering crowd set the atmosphere of the race.

Overall an all the distances (marathon, 30 km, relay for 3 and 5, minimarathon, fun run) there were 13 800 runners filling the streets of Budapest. Despite the weather it was a real running festival!

Runners first ran along the wide and beautiful Andrássy Road, then crossed the Chain Bridge and on their way saw a number of sights of Budapest (Opera House, Castle, Gellert Hill, Parliament). The wind and rain on the quay of the Danube did not make the life of the runners easy, but they all could tackle the issue of the weather. The sights of Budapest, the musicians on the course, the good organisation, the perfect refreshments all aimed to help the runners.

The 1300 foreign runners came from 50 countries from all over the world, the most international runners came from France, Italy, Great Britain, Finland and Germany.

The winner among the men was Erkolo Ashenafi (2:23:13), an Ethiopian runner living in Hungary, among the women a new course record was set by the Hungarian athlete Simona Staicu (2:37:47).

Congratulations to all the participants!

The next 26th SPAR Budapest International Marathon will be organised on 2 October 2011!