At the Ultrabalaton, held for the nineteenth time between April 24-27, Veolia Energia Magyarország Zrt. was once again represented by a strong team. This year, five teams and one individual took to the start line to run around the Hungarian Sea. The participants returned home with lifelong memories and excellent results.
With over 28,000 entrants, the race has grown into one of Central Europe's largest running events. The adventurous runners could complete the 211-kilometer distance either individually or as a team. We are delighted that more and more Veolia colleagues are joining this special challenge – and this year, for the first time, one of our colleagues set out to circle Lake Balaton solo.
The participants not only set an example with their sporting achievements, but also with their social responsibility. For the seventh year, thanks to BioTechUSA NN Ultrabalaton Charity, runners could donate the deposit for their timing chips to charity. Veolia teams are active participants in this initiative every year, and this time was no exception.
Five teams, five excellent performances
Representing Veolia Hungary, the following teams took on the challenge:
Veolia Energia Gepárdok – 19:51:17
Veolia Energia Gazellák – 19:54:35
Veolia–Bakonyi betyárok – 20:17:24
Szegedi Víz- és Futóművek – 20:51:58
Spurizó Szegedi Vízművesek – 21:00:31
According to accounts, the race atmosphere exceeded expectations again this year – with musical refreshment stations, runners encouraging each other, and many memorable moments.
Enikő Tóth, legal assistant, participated for the first time in the Veolia Energia Gazellák team and said: "We had an extremely great team with my colleagues at Ultrabalaton, we had very good conversations between each leg, not to mention that we often met other Veolia runners even during the race." (…) "This was my first Ultrabalaton, but definitely not my last."
Richárd Hetesi, a vehicle driver at the Pécs power plant and a key member of Veolia Energia Gepárdok, completed the distance for the sixth time this year and is looking forward to the next challenge: "Since the 20th Ultrabalaton will be held next year, I definitely want to participate in this jubilee race, I hope it will be a memorable experience!"
In the spirit of international team spirit, Nikola Savković, a colleague from Veolia Waste Vinča Operator in Serbia, rejoined the Veolia Gazellák and thanked his teammates for the shared experience in a LinkedIn post.
The lesson of 160 kilometers – Interview with András Csábrák
This year’s individual Veolia entrant, András Csábrák, environmental officer, stood at the start for the full distance for the third time. Although he did not cross the finish line this time, his story is exemplary. Below is the interview by our colleague Hajnalka Szellár-Gátszegi, in which András shares his experiences of the race.
Hajnalka Szellár-Gátszegi: What made you line up at the start for the third time?
András Csábrák: I don’t run UB every year. I consider it a big challenge; completing it requires serious preparation. Every year, I run 3-4 ultra races, but running around Lake Balaton is a very special feeling, which I managed to experience in 2018 and 2022 as well. It always means serious year-long planning, in terms of training, mental, and physical preparation. Why did I start this year? I just want to experience this feeling again and again.
Sz-G. H.: Did you change anything in your preparation after your previous two solo completions?
Cs.A.: Physically, basically not. 80-100 km of running a week, and strength training as a supplement. However, running, and especially ultrarunning, involves continuous experience and learning. For example, it can take years to develop the proper nutrition plan. I did modify this somewhat this year, as I started training with a coach again in February.
Sz-G. H.: How did you experience this year’s Ultrabalaton?
Cs.A.: The start was rather mixed. I got sick the week before the race. Fever, bed rest, etc. A week before the race, it was even questionable if I could line up at the start. Fortunately, I managed to recover, but by the time I did, my planned cyclist support got sick, so I had to set off without a bike escort. So even the start was hard to put together, but I pulled myself together and lined up. During the race, things went well. Both the weather, my planned nutrition, heart rate, and pace were fine. Up to 150 kilometers, things were particularly positive. It seemed I would finish in under 24 and a half hours at that pace, which would have been about 4 hours better than in previous years. Then, unfortunately, I got a persistent and painful thigh muscle strain, which slowed me down. I hoped it wouldn’t hold me back, but it hurt more and more, and eventually, running just wasn’t working. So, at Siófok-Sóstó, at 160 kilometers, 51 kilometers from the finish, I had to make a tough decision: this year, I ended the race there.
Sz-G. H.: How hard is it to make this decision?
Cs.A.: Of course, it’s very hard in the moment. My heart would take me further, but I have to think rationally. At first, you get angry, then disappointed, but then you have to seriously weigh the options. Either I drop out, or I choose the “somehow I’ll get to the end” option. In that case, I risk a more serious injury. Or I decide to stop, keeping in mind that I still have three serious races ahead this year, for which I need to recover. The next one is Ultra Tisza-tó with 130 kilometers on June 28. That’s what I based my decision on. Of course, the sting is still there. After all, I wasn’t there to drop out, but that’s all there was this year. There’s one solution: maybe in 2026, I have to line up again for UB as an individual! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Veolia for their support. Thank you for all the attention, encouragement, and interest. Congratulations to the Veolia teams for their great performances!
Thanks go to all our Veolia runners, who enriched this year’s Ultrabalaton with their perseverance and commitment. We are proud of you and are already excitedly preparing for the 20th, jubilee occasion!