record

Unprecedented growth and rising prices: records and averages for Hungary’s housing market in 2024

Budapest flat property

Homes in Hungary sold for an average HUF 45.2m in 2024, up 13pc from a year earlier, data compiled by listed real estate broker Duna House show.

The average home price in the capital climbed 6pc to HUF 60.4m. In the rest of the country, prices rose by HUF 5m to HUF 39.1m. The price of new homes averaged HUF 830,000/sqm countrywide, but reached HUF 1.5m/sqm in Budapest.

Nationwide, flats in multi-unit dwellings sold for an average of HUF 807,000/sqm and detached houses for HUF 422,000/sqm. Between 120,000-125,000 homes were sold in Hungary in 2024.

They added that, based on the entire domestic real estate market, newly built properties changed hands at an average price of 830 thousand forints, while in the capital city, they were around 1.5 million forints per square meter.

The statement quoted Ferenc Máté, Deputy CEO of Duna House, who said the average amount of HUF 45.2 million spent by buyers on property purchases this year was 13 percent higher than the average for 2023, while the average value of property in rural areas rose by HUF 5 million to HUF 39.1 million, while in the capital the amount increased by 6 percent to HUF 60.4 million compared to last year.

The expert also pointed out that the renewed CSOK Plus has boosted the propensity of families planning to have children to buy a home while falling government bond yields have re-directed investor interest towards the property market in 2024. As a result, buyer demand has reached a two-year high, and the year could close with 120-125 thousand closed sales.
Duna House transaction data also reported on the extremes in 2024: the top seller in terms of final purchase price was an energy-efficient, modern, new-build luxury villa on the Buda side of the capital for which the new owner paid more than HUF 1 billion.

In the countryside, the two highest purchase prices of HUF 430-440 million were for sale in Győr and Szentendre. At the other end of the scale was a 35-square-meter property sold for HUF 1.2 million in Tolna County.

Among second-hand properties, the record price per square meter was an 80-square-meter apartment in District XI in very good condition, which sold for over 2.6 million HUF per unit, but some people were also willing to pay 2.3 million HUF per square meter for a 36-square-meter house in Balatonlelle, which was in a habitable condition.

The smallest property sold this year was a 7-square-metre apartment in District XX, which sold for 10.8 million HUF, while the most significant property was an 867-square-metre house built in the first half of the 18th century on Szentendrei Island. In addition, a castle built in 1711 in Zala County was also among the transactions.

It was reported that buyers across the country had signed contracts for factory apartments at prices between 128,000 and 1,2 million HUF per square metre. The highest price of 1.2 million forints per square meter was for a 27-square-meter property in good condition in a residential area in Óbuda, but a 59-square-meter apartment in Komló, which was to be renovated, was also available for 128,000 forints per square meter.

As we wrote earlier, the Hungarian government has unveiled bold new measures to address Budapest’s housing crisis, including a two-year moratorium on new Airbnb rentals and registrations. Details are here.

Hungary has never seen a summer this hot: Here are the facts

heatwave summer
Two of the three hottest months in the past 123 years have occurred this summer since temperatures have been officially recorded in Hungary. It is, therefore, no surprise that the seasonal temperature record has been broken. Alarmingly, this summer was nearly 3 degrees hotter than the average of the past three decades.

Summer, 2024

June was already warmer than usual, but the last two months of summer were exceptionally hot. This summer also saw the longest and most intense heatwave on record, breaking the seasonal temperature record for the second time in three years.

Daily data shows that August’s average temperature was nearly the same as July’s. As previously reported by Hungaromet, July was only a hair’s breadth away from being the hottest month in 123 years. This time, the record might well be broken.

The numbers

Daily data shows that August’s average temperature was nearly the same as July’s. As previously reported by Hungaromet, July was only a hair’s breadth away from being the hottest month in 123 years. This time, the record might well be broken.

  • The average summer temperature between 1991 and 2020 was 2.6 degrees lower than in 2024. The upward trend is evident, as the five hottest summers since 1901 have all occurred after 2000, with three of them in the past six years.
  • According to initial calculations, the average temperature in August was 24.45 degrees Celsius. This is 0.04 degrees Celsius higher than the figure calculated from the same data set one month earlier. Based on final figures, the average temperature in July was only 0.01 degrees Celsius below the historical record, which explains how this record-setting month came about.

Records are falling one by one

This summer’s record also means we have experienced an entire year in which every season has set a new warmth record. This pattern was observed last autumn, continued through winter, and persisted into this spring.

The average temperature over the past 12 months was 13.5 degrees Celsius, nearly 3 degrees above the average for the 30 years between 1991 and 2020, despite those decades not being particularly cold in Hungary.

It is also worth noting that there were 28 days of heat warnings issued during the summer, with five more in early September. However, this number could have been seven days higher, as the national average temperature exceeded 25 degrees Celsius on 35 days in the three months leading up to 31 August.

What can we expect?

September, the first month of autumn, has also begun with a heatwave. The heat warning is currently in effect until 5 September. suggesting we can expect average daily temperatures of over 25 degrees Celsius for the next few days.

Read also:

Featured picture: depositphotos.com

Saturday marks 4th consecutive day of record-high early-morning low temperatures

Summer extreme heat record high temperature

Record high early-morning temperatures were recorded for the fourth day in a row on Saturday, when a weather station in Pécs, in southern Hungary, measured 27.7 degrees Celsius (81.86 °F), the national HungaroMet weather service reported on Sunday.

The highest early-morning temperature that day so far, 24 degrees (75.2 °F), was measured in Berettyóújfalu, in eastern Hungary, in 1952.

Saturday also saw the maximum temperature record for the day broken. A weather station in Baja, in southern Hungary, measured 40.4 degrees (104.72 °F). The earlier record temperature measured on this day was 37 degrees (98.6 °F), measured in Baja and Kübekháza in 2022.

Read also:

Hungary experiences hottest and 7th driest July on record in 2024 since 1901

hottest hungary weather

This July was the hottest and the seventh driest since 1901, the HungaroMet weather service said on Monday.

HungaroMet said the median temperature in July was 24.53 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees higher than the average between 1991 and 2020, making it the hottest since 1901.

July 2024 was also the 7th driest since 1901, with precipitation levels at 22.2mm, far behind the 71.8mm average of the period between 1991-2020. Some regions, especially in the west of the country, rain levels remained below 5mm in the month.

Weather forecast for Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with cloudy patches and occasional showers in central and eastern Hungary.

Lows: 10, 15.

Highs: 25, 30 C.

read also:

  • In Budapest on the hottest days of the year? Go to the only free Budapest Danube beach! – PHOTOS

Heat record: never before so hot in Budapest and Hungary on 14 April

Budapest Széchenyi Baths Thermal Spa Gyógyfürdő Heat record

The national weather service HungaroMet said on its website that Budapest and Hungary as a whole witnessed record-high temperatures in the early morning and during the day on Sunday.

The mercury hit 31.2 degrees Celsius in Baja, in southern Hungary, breaking the previous record temperature of 28.7 C measured in Túrkeve in the east in 1939.

According to HungaroMet, the Budapest daytime high was also broken, with 29.8 C recorded in the 4th district, nearly 3 degrees higher than the previous record of 27 C measured in the 21st district in 1939.

A new highest minimum temperature of 15.9 C was recorded in Boda, in the southwest, nearly 2 C higher than the daily minimum temperature of 14 C measured in Gyöngyös and Kisbér in 1989.

Budapest’s János Hill also witnessed a record-high dawn temperature of 14.6 C, breaking the previous record of 14 C measured at the Budakeszi station in 1939.

As we wrote earlier, some outdoor pools are already open in Hungary, but the cold returns next week; details HERE.

World’s longest rope bridge will soon be inaugurated in Hungary – photos

World's longest rope bridge will soon be inaugurated in Hungary - photos

The inauguration of the world’s longest rope bridge is a matter of great anticipation. Now, new pictures have been taken, showing the bridge of National Unity.

Near Sátoraljaújhely, the 700-metre-long rope bridge will connect Szár Hill and Vár Hill, held aloft by six steel cables. This landmark structure will put Hungary in the Guinness World Records.

A few kilometres from the Slovakian border in eastern Hungary, the bridge that weighs hundreds of tonnes is being built as a tourist attraction. It will undoubtedly be a challenge for tourists who are afraid of heights to cross the bridge, but it is reassuring that the bridge will be so stable that it will not swing out of place even in high winds. According to VG, the centre of the bridge will be covered with large glass panels, increasing the sense of space.

Unexpectedly, the Czechs have also entered the ‘competition’, having built a 721-meter-long cable-stayed bridge in Dolni Morava, which exceeds the size of the Hungarian bridge. However, the Czech architects have included the fixed, double-sided ground walkway in the length of the bridge, so the Hungarian cable-stayed bridge will end up being longer.

Read also:

  • Stunning visuals: Magical new bridge planned between Hungary and Slovakia, details HERE.
  • Historic moment: the 20th Danube bridge in Hungary comes together, details HERE.

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Four categories broke the heat record on 1 April in Hungary

easter monday sprinkling hungary

Hot air continued to flow in the Carpathian Basin from the south on April 1, breaking several heat records, the weather service said on Tuesday.

The new national record for the highest morning temperature on April 1 was 17.4 degrees Celsius, registered at Jászszentlászló, southern Hungary, as against the earlier record of 15.4 C registered in Lenti in 1989.

According to HungaroMet, the new afternoon record temperature for the day was 30.2 C, in Kelebia, southern Hungary, as against the previous record of 27.7 C registered in Körmend in 1989.

Budapest’s new early morning record high temperature was 16.2 C on April 1 at Ferihegy, near Budapest, as against the former record of 13.2 at Lágymanyos in 2016.

The Budapest heat record for the day was 28.1 registered at Újpest, as against 26.1 registered in the exact location in 2021.

The weather service said that once all measurements are certified for Monday, then April 1, 2024 will be the earliest day of the year ever recorded with temperature above 30 C since April 8, 1939.

As we wrote yesterday, heat records were broken on Easter Sunday in Hungary; details are HERE.

Also as we wrote earlier, the year 2023 was the hottest and the 8th wettest year in Hungary since records started in 1901, details HERE.

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Easter brings summer: Heat records broken on Saturday in Hungary

easter decoration zalaegerszeg hungary heat record broken

Several heat records were broken in Hungary on Saturday, the national weather service HungaroMet said on its website.

Easter brings heat records

A daytime maximum of 27.6 degrees Celsius was measured in Kelebia, in southern Hungary. The last record (26.9 C) was registered in Szerep, in eastern Hungary, in 1911, HungaroMet reported.

Meanwhile, the dawn temperature was also broken, with 15.8 C recorded in Koroncó station, in north-west Hungary, more than 1 C  more than the daily minimum temperature of 14.3 measured in Lágymányos in 2017.

In the capital’s 18th district, 25 C was measured on Saturday, which is nearly 1 C higher than the record daily high of 24.1 C recorded in Budapest’s Országút station in 1926.

Read also:

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Hungary’s record-breaking suspension bridge in final stages

suspension bridge in Sátoraljaújhely

The construction of the Bridge of National Unity in Sátoraljaújhely is reaching its final stages, promising to be a groundbreaking addition to the region. This pedestrian suspension bridge, initiated at the end of 2021, will offer an unprecedented view of the city and mountains. The attraction will also elevate the local tourism experience.

A record-breaking project

According to 24.hu, the ambitious project, with a total cost of HUF 4 billion (approximately EUR 10 million), is set to break records with its impressive specifications. Spanning 80 meters above the ground, the Bridge of National Unity (Nemzeti Összetartozás Hídja) aims to secure its place as a world record-holder in its category. Moreover, extending over 700 meters in length, it stands as an ambitious engineering marvel.

Towards completion: A glimpse of the future

As the days pass, the completion of the walkway of the Bridge of National Unity draws near. Positioned between Szár-hegy and Várhegy, this new tourist attraction is anticipated to open its doors to the public in the coming spring. The development promises a transformative experience for both tourists and the local population.

The city’s radio station, Zemplén FM, shared the exciting news on their Facebook page. Their post expressed enthusiasm for the impending unveiling of this remarkable structure. The walkway, nearly finished, will soon provide an unparalleled view of the surrounding landscapes.

Enhancing the experience

Hundreds of meters of stair gratings have been meticulously placed on the support elements, ensuring the safety and accessibility of the bridge. Notably, the section where the bridge reaches its zenith, 82 meters above the Május (May) Creek, will feature special glass elements. These additions are designed to enhance the overall experience, creating a truly immersive and breathtaking atmosphere.

A government-backed investment

The HUF 4 billion (approximately EUR 10 million) investment is part of the larger Tokaj-Zemplén Development Programme that the government supports financially. This strategic initiative aims to boost local infrastructure and tourism, with the Bridge of National Unity standing out as a flagship project.

Anticipating the inauguration

If everything goes according to plan, they plan to inaugurate the suspension bridge in the upcoming spring of 2024. This significant milestone marks the realisation of a vision that began in 2021. It showcases the region’s commitment to innovation and progress.

For more construction related articles, explore the detailed insights into the construction of Hungary’s southernmost Danube bridge in our article HERE.

Deputy mayor’s insights

Dénes Dankó, the deputy mayor, emphasised the spectacular nature of the ongoing construction. He highlighted that after the visible completion of the current phase, more tasks remain behind the scenes until spring. Additionally, Dankó shared that the bridge will accommodate two-way traffic, further contributing to the connectivity and accessibility of the region.

As the completion of the Bridge of National Unity in Sátoraljaújhely approaches, anticipation intensifies. The transformative impact it will have on tourism is becoming increasingly evident. Furthermore, experts anticipate that the project will shape local perspectives and actively contribute to the overall identity of the region. The bridge is not merely a physical structure; it is a symbol of unity and progress. It is nearly ready to leave a lasting impact on the city and its surroundings.

 

Series of heat records in Hungary

summer sun sunglasses
The daily low temperature in Körösszakál, in south-eastern Hungary, was 17.1 C. on Sunday, the highest ever recorded on that day, the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ) reported.

The earlier record was 16.4 C., measured in Pécs, in southern Hungary, in 2019, OMSZ said on Monday.

October 21, 2023

On October 21, 2023, the temperature at OMSZ station in Körösszakál reached 28.1 degrees Celsius. This was a new national record for the highest daily maximum temperature. The previous record was 28.0 degrees at Adony in 2019.

In Szeged, the temperature dropped to 20.6 degrees Celsius, a new national record for the highest daily minimum temperature. The previous record was 16.0 degrees Celsius at our Balatonederics and Iklódbördőce stations in 2019.

At our Budapest Ferihegy station, the temperature dropped to 16.2 degrees Celsius, setting a new record for the highest daily minimum temperature in the capital. The previous record was 15.0 degrees Celsius at our Budapest inland station in 2019.

As we wrote earlier, it was very hot in Budapest, scientists shocked, details HERE. Also, it was a record: Thunderstorms prompt 6 red alerts this summer in Hungary, details HERE.

VIDEO: Record-breaking crane migration in Hungarian national park

In an awe-inspiring display of nature’s grandeur, the Hortobágy National Park in Hungary has secured its place as the most significant place for crane migration. A remarkable video recently surfaced, capturing the mesmerising sight of a record-breaking 182,780 cranes occupying the Hortobágy’s wetlands during their autumn migration. This remarkable achievement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the park’s establishment, highlighting its commitment to preserving these birds’ habitats, Lelépő stated.

A crane’s journey

Hortobágy has become a sanctuary for nearly 200,000 cranes preparing for their annual migration. During autumn, the park’s wetlands provide the ideal conditions for cranes to rest and refuel. As autumn blankets the Hortobágy, the cranes encounter a network of expansive shallow water roosts, offering them tranquillity and respite during their migratory journey. Beyond the park’s borders, extensive cornfields provide easily accessible feeding grounds for the cranes. The synergy of these elements makes the Hortobágy a favoured destination for these graceful travellers.

Ideal conditions for crane migration

The Hortobágy National Park authorities have attributed this year’s record-breaking crane migration to a combination of favourable factors. The weather has been excellent for migration. Shallow wetland sites have provided a perfect resting place for the cranes. Furthermore, it’s been a prosperous year for maize, the cranes’ primary source of food. Abundant foraging cattails also offer these majestic birds an abundance of nourishment. The synchrony of these circumstances has set the stage for this remarkable crane migration.

A monumental milestone

In a significant development, Hortobágy broke its own record on the 12th of October, with a staggering 182,780 cranes counted. This remarkable natural spectacle captivates visitors and bird enthusiasts from around the world. As the sun sets over the Hortobágy, it paints the sky with vivid hues. The cranes are getting ready to continue their journey, leaving behind an indelible memory of their presence. The Hortobágy National Park boasts a record-breaking crane migration, making it a true gem for nature lovers worldwide, not just Hungary. If you are planning a trip to Hungary for the first time, you should definitely include the Hortobágy to your list of places to visit.

For more breathtaking landscapes in Hungary, read our article about Hungary’s unmissable train rides.

VIDEO: Hungarian freediver Korok sets world record in free immersion!

fatima korok world recorder freedive

Hungary’s Fatima Korok has set a world record in freediving at this year’s Vertical Blue competition held at the Bahamas, the event’s website said on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Hungarian athlete triumphed by diving 102 metres deep on a single breath in free immersion (FIM), spending 3.47 minutes under water. Fatima Korok bested the record set by Italy’s Alessia Zecchini who dived 101 metres deep in 2021.

“I enjoyed the dive, I felt I was in control. Actually, my dive was five seconds faster than I expected. I know the time seems a bit long, but that’s my style, that’s how I dive. I would like to thank my sponsor and my family for their support. Mom, Dad, I did it! And thank you to everyone who cheered me on. It’s a huge thing, I’m about to cry,” she said after the world record.

Her Facebook post celebrating the world record:

Her dive is shown at 2:51:30 and the interview with her can be seen at 3:28:05 in the video below:

Second warmest winter in Hungary since 1901

busójárás

This winter has been the second warmest since 1901, after the winter of 2006/2007, the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ) said on Monday.

The average temperature in the winter months for the whole country was 3.1 C, 2.7 C warmer than in the 1991-2020 period, the service said.

Average temperatures in southern parts of the country reached 4 C, while they stayed below 3 degrees in the northern hills and in the south-east.

The number of winter days with sub-zero temperatures at night was 14, as opposed to 63 on average, while “winter days” with temperatures staying below zero all day numbered 3, as opposed to an average of 22.

The warmest winter day, with a daily maximum of 20.6 C, was reported from Bata, in southern Hungary, on Feb. 21, while the coldest day was Dec. 13, at -15.3 degrees in Gagybator, in the north.

The OMSZ also said that in terms of precipitation, this winter had been better than previous ones, with 1.5 times more rain or snow than usual.

Weather broke record in Hungary on Christmas eve

budapest

We fell short of breaking the national record by a few degrees, but the metropolitan record was broken by 13.3 degrees on 24 December, Christmas eve. In quite a while, this Christmas is Hungary’s warmest and most spring-like.

The last day or two have seen a rapid temperature easing. Christmas started with early spring-like weather in Hungary. Highs were near 10 degrees across the country, with colder temperatures in the northeast, Időkép writes.

The warmest temperature on Christmas Eve so far was recorded in 1958 in Békéscsaba, at 17.7 degrees. In the same year, the temperature in Budapest reached 12.5 degrees Celsius. This has now been exceeded, according to preliminary data from the National Meteorological Service

In Budakalász the daily record was broken with 13.3 degrees Celsius.

Spring Hungary
Read alsoSpring arrives at Christmas in Hungary – MAP

Now it’s official: In Hungary, summer 2022 hottest since 1901

Lake Velence hottest summer hungary

The summer of 2022 was the hottest since 1901, with median temperatures reaching 22.9 C, two degrees above the average between 1901 and 2020, the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ) said on Monday.

The summer saw five heat waves, with only short cooler periods in between, OMSZ said. Top temperatures were above average in all three summer months, hitting 39.6 C in June in Berettyoujfalu, in eastern Hungary, and rising to 41.5 C in Hodmezovasarhely, in the southeast, in July. After a cooler period in early August, temperatures soared again, and a daily record of 39.6 C was measured in Baja, in southern Hungary.

The number of hot days was also above average. In the whole summer, 11 days saw temperatures above 35 C, 8 more than the average, and there were 46 days with temperatures above 30 degrees, 20 more than the average, OMSZ said.

This summer was also the 24th driest summer since 1901, with only 137.3mm of precipitation on average, compared with the seasonal average of 203.5mm, OMSZ said. The most rain fell in Rabagyarmat (347.8mm) this summer, while the driest was Mezobereny Hosszufok (31.5mm). In southeastern Hungary, this summer was the driest since 1901.

The January-August period was the driest since 1901 in the Great Plain and east of the River Tisza.

Hungarian climbers are the first to conquer a 6,000-metre peak

bondit_peak_mountain

The Hungarian National Mountaineering Team has become the first in the world to climb the 5,984 m high Bondit Peak in Pakistan. It took great sacrifice for the determined alpinists to reach the top, some of them completed the superhuman expedition with four amputated fingers.

The Hungarian National Mountaineering Team was established three years ago, but due to the coronavirus epidemic, no expeditions could be organised until this spring. The team set off from Pakistan in July to hunt unclimbed peaks and routes in the unexplored Nangma Valley. The determined Hungarian mountaineers visited peaks that did not even have names, so some of them were named by them. Such was the 5,400m peak above the K6 base camp. Soon after, they started their journey to be the first to conquer the 5,984m Bondit Peak.

Photo: www.facebook.com/hegymaszovalogatott/

The Hungarian climbing team includes Viktor Ágoston who is a resident doctor, László Száz who works as a veterinarian and Bence Kerekes, a design engineer, living in Switzerland. All three are obsessed with mountains. However, Bence’s climbing career was in danger last March when he had to have four fingers amputated after a climb – reported by rtl.hu.

Bondit peak mountain
Photo: www.rtl.hu

While climbing the Mönch summit, his pass iron broke at 3,711 metres. During a rest, his thick gloves fell out of his jacket and he rolled down the mountainside. The Hungarian alpinist continued climbing and descended the other side of the mountain, but Bence’s hand froze at the end of the 28-hour climb, after which he had to have four fingers amputated. In Geneva, the doctors tried to save as many of his fingers as possible. Since then, he has had seven more corrective surgeries.

This summer’s expedition was a big return for him. The team was overwhelmed with euphoria when they finally reached Bondit Peak. The climbing companions hugged each other in joy, and Bence buried his face in the snow with tears of happiness on his face – reported by Szeretlek Magyarország.

Photo: www.facebook.com/hegymaszovalogatott/

Nowadays, Pakistan and the unconquered peaks in the Karakoram range, at 5,000 to 6,000 metres, have become extremely popular among professional climbers. These peaks are climbed without any assistance, without sherpas, fixed ropes or ready-made base camps.

Read also: The first Hungarian just climbed the world’s toughest mountain without an Oxygen tank

Professional climbing to such heights can be extremely risky, causing several fatal accidents. This is the reason why the mayor of a French town proposed the introduction of a funeral deposit at the beginning of August. The amount is no less than a deposit of EUR 15,000. The town’s leader, Jean-Marc Peillex, has had enough of the municipality having to pay the rescue costs of every climber in trouble, so he prefers to ask for the money upfront, including the cost of the funeral in case of an unfortunate accident. According to the mayor of the most popular route to Mont Blanc, the French town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, the rescue is estimated at EUR 10,000 and the funeral at EUR 5,000, bringing the total to EUR 15,000.

According to the Hungarian news portal Világgazdaság, the route has been suspended indefinitely, as there have been several reports of rockfalls in the area. Locals try to draw attention to the dangers. Nevertheless, many people are reportedly trying to reach the summit.

Neszmélyi Emil Seven Summits
Read alsoWOW! – Hungarian lawyer climbed the highest peaks of the world’s 7 continents – VIDEO!

This 10-year-old Hungarian boy ran the Sarajevo marathon! – PHOTOS

loci_oliver_sarajevo_marathon

The 10-year-old Hungarian boy, Lóci completed the 42 km within just 5 hours, at a pace that beat adults.

The exceptional performance was reported on the Facebook page of two Hungarian brothers who have become the youngest marathon runners of all time. One of them, the determined Lóci ran the Sajarevo marathon at the age of 10 on 5 July. The proud parents revealed that originally both brothers would have participated in the competition. However, life changed their plans as Olivér’s broken collarbone prevented him from training, so with 6 weeks of compulsory rest behind him, they could only allow him to run the 5-kilometer race.

lóci_olivér_sarajevo_marathon
Photo: www.facebook.com/Lóci-és-Olivér-megcsinálja

The younger brother, Lóci had no such difficulty and was more determined than ever to start his first marathon. Although in Hungary, only people over the age of 18 can run marathons since the 1980s, the main organiser of the Sarajevo marathon simply replied to the family, “ok, good luck!”.

According to the Facebook post, Lóci was not only enthusiastic about the race „but also fit enough to take advantage of this unexpected opportunity, promised to do everything he could to prepare for the race, went running with his parents and generally obeyed their wishes in the weeks leading up to the race.” Therefore, the family decided to organise the next family holiday in the Balkans, „with a goal in mind for the children, with tasks to achieve and a learning experience to discover the connections between them”.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Lóci-és-Olivér-megcsinálja

On the day of the race, 5 July, the weather posed the biggest challenge for the competitors. The extreme heat made the 42.195-kilometer race even more difficult for the runners.

The first point when the persistent child asked how much time he had left was at 22 kilometres. At 25 kilometers, he was walking under the hot sun and looked like someone who was ready to give up, but he managed to lift himself up and kept on running until the finish line.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Lóci-és-Olivér-megcsinálja

The perseverance of the 10-year-old Hungarian boy is unbelievable that beats the majority of adults. It can probably be thanked to his own determination and the support of his parents, who were encouraging him throughout the whole race. Eventually, the youngest Hungarian marathon runner of all time finished his first race within 5 hours.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Lóci-és-Olivér-megcsinálja

Many of the commentators congratulated Lóci on social media. Still, some of them said they disagreed with the idea of a child running a marathon in extreme heat, and some questioned the parents’ decision – reported by the Hungarian news portal Szeretlek Magyarország.

18 years - 18 km Budapest running competition
Read alsoBudapest one of the best European destinations for marathon runners?

Hungarian Night of Museums draws record 330,000 visitors

museum

The Night of Museums on Saturday drew a record crowd of 329,174 people nationwide, double the number of the 164,000 visitors last year, a government official told public radio on Thursday.

Over 430 venues hosted 2,500 programmes nationwide, Péter Hoppál, the state secretary responsible for culture, told Kossuth Radio.

The number of visitors grew more in Budapest than in other localities, Hoppál said.

He welcomed the event’s ability to draw people who otherwise rarely attend museums.