UltraBalaton 2014 Summary
The UltraBalaton is an individual and relay running race around Lake Balaton, where participants strive to complete the circuit in the shortest possible time. This year, the relay races saw the most intense competition, with three teams representing Mindsystem in the Ultrabalaton field.
In the women’s category, the Mindsystem Sashegyi Gepárdinák team emerged victorious, finishing nearly 50 minutes ahead of the Mecsek Dream Team from Pécs.
The men’s competition was more exciting. The winning team, the Mindsystem Sashegyi Gepárdok, finished with the best overall time of 12 hours and 37 minutes, 20 minutes ahead of the Honvéd team.
However, the biggest surprise came from the Mindsystem.hu team, who achieved a sensational 4th place with a time of 14 hours and 35 minutes. The next team, the Szombathely Nike Running Club, finished just 2 minutes behind them, but the Mindsystem.hu team managed to hold on to the fourth place.
Throughout the race, teams faced various challenges beyond the distance. During the day on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, teams contended with hills, humid air, and the task of overtaking slower teams. At night, on the southern shore, darkness and unlit roads presented obstacles. Every team operated as a well-organized unit during the race, which was crucial for success. It wasn’t just about running skills; it was largely a battle of nerves. Relay members needed to be in the right place at the right time, in good condition. Warming up and cooling down were essential, living on “runner’s food” for half a day, and drinking plenty of fluids… this was the real challenge. Get in the car, head to the next relay point where the next runner would warm up, while the previous runner stretched and ate to prepare for the next leg. Meanwhile, the difference between teams was measured, and sometimes the online system provided incorrect data… zzzz…. This continued for more than half a day, with each runner covering over 20 km in several segments to achieve the fastest overall time.
Fatigue occasionally showed on faces, but the team managed to regroup and continue the race as it neared its end. I describe it this way because, despite everyone being utterly exhausted, we would have gladly continued for another lap if it meant prolonging the experience!
I hope that next year, we can assemble the MindSystem teams just as well, or even stronger, and be equally proud of our achievements.