BUDAPEST, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sunday's 40th Budapest Marathon set a new record with over 40,000 participants from 119 countries and regions, organizers announced.

"This year's event is the largest mass sports gathering ever held in Hungary," said chief organizer Arpad Kocsis.

Kocsis reported that 9,000 participants traveled from abroad, with 9,352 runners completing the official results list. "Budapest has truly joined the ranks of Europe's running capitals," he added.

In the men's race, Hungarian runners claimed the top two positions as Mate Vasarhelyi won the title in two hours, 22 minutes and 17 seconds, followed by Bence Vitarius at 2:27:37. Poland's Jakub Galasiewicz finished third at 2:34:16.

In the women's event, Hungary's Viktoria Nyikos took victory in 2:50:28. Caoimhe Nic Fhogartaigh of Ireland came second in 2:53:38, followed by Hungary's Reka Kormendi at 2:55:34.

The anniversary event featured notable moments, including multiple World and European paratriathlon champion Peter Boronkay pushing his disabled friend, Andras Nagy, in a special racing wheelchair for the full 42.2 kilometers along the Danube, across the Chain Bridge, and past landmarks such as Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament.

Firefighters Tibor Borbas and Elek Keller completed the marathon wearing 15 kilograms of protective gear, while the oldest participant was 81-year-old local Ferenc Kis. ■