The Minister of Human Resources and state secretaries participated in the Budapest Marathon relay race. Every member of the group completed the run partnering a runner living with disabilities (people with impaired vision or physical disabilities). The number of participants was 19,200, compared to the previous record of 17,700.

Among the runners was Péter Szijjártó, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Relations, who ran 21 of the total 42 km as a member of the Kinizsi Futsal Klub of Dunakeszi, and his trio came in 12th position.

Each member of the group of leaders from the Ministry of Human Resources (Minister Zoltán Balog, Deputy State Secretary Pál Szekeres, State Secretary György Hölvényi, State Secretary Miklós Szócska and Chief of Staff Katalin Novák) ran together with a runner living with physical disability or impaired vision. The goal of their participation was to draw attention to the importance of regular physical exercise for both those with and without disabilities.

The world-famous opera singer Erika Miklósa ran in one of four groups representing the Hungarian Opera House, and considered the race on Sunday to be a great opportunity to prepare for the New York Marathon in November. In addition to state officials, actor Iván Fenyő and Olympic boxing gold medallist István ‘Kokó’ Kovács also took part. Both of them were running in their first ever marathon.

Ron Hill, the 74-year-old British former world record holder and European champion for the marathon, also took part. He started in the relay race, and praised the event’s organisation. The oldest runner celebrated his 77th birthday on the day of the race.

(Ministry of Human Resources)