Despite recent rumors, the Budapest-Bamako will
start from the Hungarian capital in 2009. Over 560 teams indicated interest in
the 2009 run, while 180 teams have already joined next year’s lineup.
With the ever-growing popularity of the
grueling, two week long rally, the Hungarian government has offered its
endorsement to the event. Both the Ministry of Local Governments and Regional
Development and the Foreign Ministry have assured organizers of their
support. “The Budapest-Bamako is an
outstanding initiative, which is capable of enhancing our country’s reputation.
In its own right, it can’t even compare to the Dakar Rally”, said Istvan
Ujhelyi undersecretary of the Ministry Of Local Governments and Regional
Development.
Often mentioned as the spiritual heir to
the Dakar Rally, the 2009 run will be tougher and more complex. For the first
time the run will take place on two different routes. Those in the touring
category will follow a simpler, but more entertaining route. “Racing teams
demanded more challenging conditions, while touring category teams wanted a
lighter, more relaxing experience”, said the creator of the event Andrew G.
Szabo. Teams in both categories will leave from
line together 15 days later.
The racing category will traverse through
rocky pistes of
golden sand dunes of
and red clay roads of
before arriving in
will have to drive on sand- and dirt roads from the Moroccan – Mauritanian border
to
very big shoe to fill. It’s an honor to continue their traditions”, added Mr.
Szabo.
In spite of the enhanced racing category
and increased professionalism of the rally, organizers added a new category to
preserve the founding spirit of the Great African Run. The Bamako Spirit
category will allow 20 teams to join free of charge. These teams must travel in
cheap, old or otherwise amusing vehicles. By bringing exceptional amounts of
humanitarian aid, teams can also join Spirit category. Applications can be
submitted in the form of a 2 minute video.
In its fourth year, the Budapest-Bamako is
now both the largest Trans-Saharan race and the largest charity rally in
goods and services were donated to communities in
and
by the 400 participants. The event is the brainchild of Hungarian internet
entrepreneur, Andrew G. Szabo who launched the rally after not being able to
find an affordable alternative to the
BUDAPEST-BAMAKO 2009
Start: 2009. January 17. Budapest
Finish: 2009. January 31. Bamako
Distance: 8314km
Daily Stages:
Budapest – Brescia
Brescia – Merzouga
marathon)
Merzouga – Foum
Zgid
Foum Zgid – Tadalt
Tadalt – Smara
Smara – Tropic Of
Cancer
TOC – Bou Lanoar
Bou Lanoar – Atar
Atar – Tidjikja
Tidjikja – Kiffa
Kiffa – Korera
Kore
Korera Kore -
Banamba
Banamba – Bamako
Additional Information:
Tel:+36-1-312-4671
The full, stage-by-stage English language coverage of this year’s Great African Run:
The 2008 Budapest-Bamako on The
Budapest Times
