There is a unique charity run that happens each year at Budapest Airport. The airport closes one of its runways and teams from the aviation industry run to raise money for charity.

Aer Lingus were crowned “Fastest Airline in the World” last year, which is the third time they have won the title. Considering the race has only happened six times, that is no mean feat!

Charity Run in Budapest

During the time the race is occurring, the airport closes runway 13R-31L. Adults can run 5 kilometres or 10 kilometres, which is two or four lengths of the runway respectively and children aged six to 15 have a shorter 1.5 kilometre distance.

All the entry fees are donated to various charities, with €57,600 raised last year alone. In addition to Aer Lingus being the fastest airline in the world, Athens Airport claimed fastest airport and there were four other prizes awarded too.


This year, the event takes place on Saturday, 31 August 2019. Entry fees are €35 per person if you enter before 1 July 2019 so, aviation people, it’s time to get organising.

All the details are available on the “bud:runway run 2019” web site. Spaces are limited for the event, due to security reasons as everyone needs to be security checked.

Overall Thoughts

Aviation businesses in Europe should definitely look at sending a team across to Budapest for the runway run. I think it would be a pretty unique experience to run on an airport runway.

I’m curious to see if Aer Lingus will be pulling it off and winning again this year. Clearly the Irish airline is sending a crack team over to Hungary since they’re doing so well.

What are the most unique charity events you have been to and what do you think of this runway run? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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All images via Anna.aero