Record number of runners at 33rd SPAR Budapest Marathon

October 24, 2018 IN THE CATEGORY: Community, Responsible retailing, Sport sponsorship

The 33rd SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival once again drew a record number of entries with 33,500 registered runners. The event also provided the opportunity for the donation and collection of more than 500 storybooks for children in need as part of SPAR Hungary’s partnership with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.

The Festival has become one of Hungary’s key sporting events, achieving great international acclaim with the participation of 5,200 international runners from 96 countries. Many artists, celebrities and athletes also competed this year.

“SPAR Hungary supports the Budapest Marathon Festival every year because we are committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle. It is our aim to highlight to the general public that running, sport and living a healthy life are positive things,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communication at SPAR Hungary. Employees of the company were all encouraged to enter the race which paid the registration fees.

An event that’s not just about sport but also about community involvement, the Festival provided the opportunity for participants and visitors to support an important cause by donating books for children in need. Part of the collaboration between SPAR Hungary and charity partner, the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, the initiative was hugely successful with more than 500 books collected. Additionally, SPAR Hungary donated the total revenue of its SPAR booth (1,037,400 HUF) to the charity’s programme, “Bring the playground here” – a mobile playground that was also present at the Marathon Festival.

This year saw popular TV presenter, Nóra Ördög, compete in the 10km run. In the lead up to the race, she completed a six-week training programme, which fans were able to follow. Nóra was supported in her training by the SPAR Lifestyle Programme.

On site at the Marathon Festival, runners and supporters were treated to SPAR product tastings from the Regnum Meat-Processing Plant and its new SPAR enjoy product line.

Source: SPAR Hungary

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About SPAR Hungary

The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. Since its launch, SPAR Hungary has been actively involved in the development of the retail industry in the country.

The move to license independent retailers to operate the SPAR Brand has proven to be very successful for Hungary, with new stores meeting the needs of a larger number of shoppers. The retailers benefit from becoming part of the SPAR organisation with access to own brand products, operating systems and the brand, whilst consumers enjoy the increased number of store locations.