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Ahotu, the world’s leading global race calendar and endurance sports marketplace, has partnered with Eventrac. Headquartered in the UK, Eventrac provides sophisticated solutions for event management and registrations supporting a wide range of race organisers in all types of endurance sports! Their joint goal is to provide race organisers with an effortless way to increase international visibility and participation. What’s new? This is a twofold integration; firstly Eventrac shares up-to-date data covering event information and tickets. Secondly, with Eventrac’s API, Ahotu can automatically build and update event listings using up-to-date event and ticket data- while all participant info from Ahotu and Worlds Marathons syncs seamlessly back into Eventrac, removing the need for manual entry. By streamlining the registration management process, race directors can save valuable time and reduce the risk of human error. With everything seamlessly connected behind the scenes, event organisers save time on administrative tasks, boost engagement, and reach an even wider international audience. What does this mean for you? The integration is available immediately for all Eventrac clients, helping events of all sizes attract more participants and maximize their reach. However, to activate it, you need to get in touch with the Ahotu team through [email protected]. About Eventrac Eventrac is an all-in-one event management and registration platform that helps race organisers plan, promote, and run successful endurance events. With powerful tools for online registration, custom event websites, built-in email marketing, and loyalty schemes including memberships, Eventrac puts everything organisers need in one easy-to-use system. It saves time, boosts engagement, and helps events reach a wider audience. “At Eventrac, we’re not just looking for ways to make life easier for race organisers. Our unrivalled suite of online tools empowers organisers to streamline every aspect of their event, from promotion to registration, while maximising visibility through leading discovery platforms. Partnering with Ahotu adds tremendous value to our network, making it even easier for organisers to reach a global audience and focus on what truly matters: delivering unforgettable race experiences.” - Aaron Bird, Founder & CEO of Eventrac

Behind the Race: Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon with Árpád Kocsis In this interview series, Ahotu speaks with the people behind some of the most unique races around the world. We discuss the history of their events, the challenges of organizing them, how to attract sponsors, reach new runners—and much more! Meet Árpád Kocsis, Managing Director of Budapest Sportiroda (BSI) Thank you for joining us Árpád. Could you introduce yourself and the Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon for those who may not be familiar? My name is Árpád Kocsis, Managing Director of Budapest Sportiroda (BSI). BSI is the largest organiser of road running events in Hungary, responsible for iconic races like the Wizz Air Budapest Félmaraton, SPAR Budapest Marathon and Vivicittá Halfmarathon. In 2016, I was elected to the Executive Board of AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). The Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon is one of the largest road races in Hungary, with around 20,000 participants expected this year. Thousands of runners from across Europe and beyond take part each year. The route is scenic and flat, with music points and enthusiastic crowds. Participants can run solo, in pairs or trios, or choose the 10K option. How long has the race been taking place, and how did you personally get involved? This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Budapest Half Marathon. It started in 1984 as part of the marathon but later became a standalone event. I’m a former nationally ranked road cyclist and served as Vice President of the Hungarian Triathlon Federation (1989–1996). I joined BSI in its early days and became race director in 1993, eventually stepping into my current role. What makes the race unique? We have one of the most picturesque routes in the world. The course winds through Budapest, passing UNESCO World Heritage sites along both sides of the Danube. Runners enjoy views of Castle Hill, Matthias Church, and the Parliament building. The start and finish are in the same location, which is convenient for supporters. The entire city has a festive atmosphere during race weekend. How many participants are expected for 2025, and from which countries? We’re expecting around 20,000 participants. Registration is still open, but we already have runners from over 100 countries. The top three so far are the UK, Slovakia, and Germany. We also see strong attendance from the Czech Republic, Poland, and France. What post-race experience do you aim to deliver? Runners are welcomed at the finish line with music, volunteers, and a well-organized finish zone. Medals, hydration, and recovery snacks are provided immediately. Results are sent by SMS or app notification within minutes. The finish area feels like a celebration—with music, photo ops, and space for family and friends to join in. What are the biggest logistical challenges? Budapest has 1.5 million residents, so road closures are a major challenge. The course impacts traffic along both sides of the Danube. We work with local authorities, police, and emergency services months in advance to manage traffic rerouting and safety. As the race grows, we adapt by widening start zones, using wave starts, and expanding medical and aid stations. We also use UHF chip timing with multiple timing mats. What marketing channels work best for attracting international runners? We use social media (Facebook and Instagram), and radio ads are still effective locally. Our new registration platform allows international payments, offers event merchandise, and supports donations during registration. We also work with platforms like Ahotu and World’s Marathons, which has helped grow international visibility. What role does Wizz Air play as sponsor? Wizz Air has been our title sponsor since 2014. As a Hungarian-rooted airline, they help make Budapest accessible from across Europe. Runners receive a €20 flight voucher for future travel. They now sponsor other races as part of the WIZZ Run Series across Europe. What should runners do while visiting Budapest? Take a dip in one of the thermal baths—it’s the perfect post-race recovery. Walk up to Castle Hill, enjoy the night lights of Budapest, explore museums and historic landmarks. Definitely stay a few days if you can. What are your future goals for the event? We want to grow international participation and expand the 10K category for newer runners. Each year I look forward to seeing runners at the start and finish—it’s the most rewarding part. Register Now The Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon takes place every September. Register for future editions here. Get in Touch Want to be featured in our interview series? Email us at [email protected] Interested in promoting your race with World’s Marathons or Ahotu? Contact [email protected]