42ostriches.com

Effortless. Affordable. Unforgettable. Europe’s best runs, together.

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SPAR Budapest Marathon

Vivicitta Half Marathon

Many More to Come

ABOUT US

We are two friends with a serious passion for travel and sports. Whether it’s running, skiing, hiking, surfing or scuba diving, we know adventures are more fun together. Our journey began in high school when we got banned from our school’s ski trip for having a little too much fun (don’t show this to our parents). We made the most out of the opportunity and organised our own trip with two things in mind: more skiing and more friends. We invited our mates and family, rented a dodgy minibus that naturally broke down halfway to Austria and somehow pulled off an unforgettable trip. We never looked back.

Fast forward a few years, and we have grown wise (would never forget to hide empty bottles from our teachers again), and we are still helping our friends smash new goals on unforgettable trips abroad. After gaining tons of experience organising active getaways in places like Morocco, Spain, Cuba and Austria, we launched 42ostriches to turn our passion into a global community.

Why ostriches? Ostriches might not fly, but they run. Fast. For us, ostriches represent speed, endurance and bold movement. They are also fun, a little quirky and built for the long haul (just like us). Ostriches are the ultimate symbol of our community of amateur athletes who are here for the pure joy of it.

But why 42? 42 is not only the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life” (or so Chat GPT tells us – we never actually read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). It also happens to be the number of kilometres in a marathon. But more than that, 42 represents our community. In a flock of 42, there is room for everyone, whether you are chasing your first mile or your tenth marathon. We know that shared joy is double the joy, and that’s what we are here to create: a community that moves forward together.

VISION

We envision an open community of amateur athletes who travel the world to chase new goals, make lifelong friends and explore unforgettable places – all at the same time.

We are building an inclusive group of bold individuals who are ready to challenge themselves and push their own limits. Whether you are running your first 2 km, learning to ski, tackling a marathon or climbing your first mountain, we are here to make it happen. We’ve created 42ostriches to take care of the logistics and help focus on what really matters: the challenge, the joy, and the people beside you.

At the heart of our vision is the 42ostriches community. Because stepping out of your comfort zone is scary, but it’s also how you meet great people. Having friends push you forward will make a 42k feel like a jog. And crossing the finish-line is great, but sharing the experience with friends? That’s life-changing. We are creating this community to help you share your victories with great people and make sports a fun, social activity.

We also believe that sport is one of the best ways to discover the world. Not only because getting a bib for the London Marathon is harder than actually running it, but because the excitement of a new place gives us superpowers. Exploring a new country while doing the sport you love so much simply feels great and we want as many of you to experience this as possible.

That’s why we believe that travelling for sports should be accessible to everyone. Our trips cater to all backgrounds and experience levels and will always remain affordable. No overpriced gear lists, no exclusive clubs or hidden fees – just great people and the pure joy of a new adventure.

OUR PRODUCT

So how do we turn this vision into reality? We have big plans for the future, but we are starting small. We chose running as our initial focus, because it is fun, cheap, sociable and accessible to all skill levels. We also know how much our generation loves running and how many of us are looking for new challenges. Call it a quarter-life crisis, or the next global trend – but more and more of our friends are signing up for competitions abroad and we were surprised by the scarcity of affordable UK-based solutions for runners like us. That’s where we come in.

At 42ostriches, we organise travel experiences around international running events – from 2k fun runs to full marathons. We offer packages for runners of all experience levels who love a challenge and want to push their limits in new places. We have carefully designed our trips to help you achieve your personal best while making friends and exploring new places – all that without having to worry about logistics.

And if running isn’t your thing? Stay tuned, we are launching new sports and new destinations very soon. If you’ve got ideas for where we should go next, please drop us a message on social media. We’d love to hear from you!

FAQ

General

Do I need to be a professional athlete to join?

Not at all! Our packages cater to all experience levels and most of our members are not professional athletes. So, whether this is your first mile or tenth marathon, we would love to have you on board.

What is included in my package?

We have designed our packages to take the stress out of travel. Think race entry, accommodation, airport shuttles, meals, social activities and more. Click here to see exactly what’s included.

What is not included in my package?

- Flights and other means of travelling to your destination
- Certain meals, depending on your accommodation package. Don’t worry, we will always make this clear during booking.
- Travel insurance –please make sure you have this. We also recommend you bring a GHIC card. You can request one on this link.
- Visas and other boring-but-important travel-related documents

I have some suggestions – who can I reach out to?

We would love to hear from you. Please DM us on social media or reach out on [email protected]

What should I bring on my trip?

We have created a list of essentials - from running shoes to toothpaste (no, you can’t borrow ours) - to help you pack.

Booking & Payment

How can I sign up?

You can sign up for our packages by clicking on the “book now” button under each trip.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes! We have partnered with Klarna to make sure upfront costs don’t scare anyone from joining. Simply choose Klarna at checkout to split your payments.

Is my money protected?

Yes! Our insurance partner, Atlas Voyage Secure (AVS) provides financial protection to all of our customers. We are absolutely confident that it will never have to come to this, but in the unlikely event that something goes wrong while you are on a trip with us, AVS will make sure you are looked after.

What other expenses should I expect?

Our packages include accommodation, entry fees, breakfast, airport transfers and entertainment. You will only need to budget for flights, a few meals and anything extra you fancy.

Community & Events

Who will I be travelling with?

You will be travelling with fun, goal-chasing runners like you – most living in the UK. We are committed to building a community and we have designed our trips to help you make long-lasting friends. And if you’re up for it, we’ll pop you in a WhatsApp group so you can hype each other up and prepare with people on the same trip.

Are there social activities?

Yes! While nothing is mandatory, we pack our trips with opportunities to meet awesome people like you. Think joint warm-up runs, sightseeing, post-race celebrations and many more fun activities. And of course, everyone stays in the same hotel so bumping into your new crew is guaranteed.

Can I come alone?

Absolutely! Most people come solo – and honestly, it’s one of the best ways to make new friends.

My friend wants to come to support me during the race. Can they join?

For sure! Friends and family can join on a spectator package. Same hotel, same meals, same fun – but no race entry. You can also sleep in the same room or separately, simply select the package that suits your needs the best.

I am organising my own trip. Can I still join social events?

Yes, you can! If you are sorting out your own trip, just DM us on social media or send an email and we’ll figure out how to get you into the socials. We don’t want anyone to miss out.

Travel & accommodation

Are flights included?

No, flights (or any other means of getting to your destination country) are not included in your package so make sure you organise this for yourself. Need help finding the best route? Just drop us a message.

Is airport transfer provided?

- Yes, transfers between the airport and your hotel are covered. Your booking confirmation will include a link where you can tell us about your flight details and we will arrange for someone to wait for you at the airport.
- Transfer is only provided between Budapest Airport and your hotel. If you are arriving to a different airport or chose a different mode of transportation to Hungary, get in touch and we will help you organise your transfer to the hotel.

When can I check in to the hotel?

Check-in starts at 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, simply leave your luggage at reception and explore the city. Click here for our top Budapest recs.

Support and Safety

Will there be any support during the race?

Yes, our 42ostriches crew will be supporting you during the race and at the finish line. You can also buy spectator tickets with us if you want to bring friends or family to support you.

What if I get injured or can’t run?

If you get injured or can’t run for any other reason, please reach out to us. We will always do our best to help you make alternative plans. To find out more about our cancellation policy, please click here.

Is travel insurance included?

Travel insurance is not included in your packages and while it is not an entry requirement, we recommend getting one. Also bring your GHIC card (you can request one here) for free emergency care in the EU.

Is Budapest safe to travel to?

Yes, Budapest is a very safe city to travel to. Just pay close attention to your belongings and apply common sense when visiting busy places. If you have any questions, please reach out. For emergencies, always call 112.

Is Budapest LGTBQ+ friendly?

Budapest has a rich queer community and it is safe for members of the LGBTQ+ community to travel to. However, same-sex couples are may face the occasional uncomfortable interaction. While this is very unlikely, for your safety, we advise avoiding public affection (such as holding hands or kissing) between same-sex couples.

Who can I turn to if I have any issues with the service that’s provided by 42ostriches?

- If you have any issues, questions or complaints regarding your booking or anything else, please know that we are always just a message away. You can reach us on social media or via email on [email protected] and we will respond ASAP.
- If you are not fully satisfied with our response or think that we haven’t addressed your complaint, you can always reach out to Citizen’s Advice for help. First, however, we encourage you to give us a chance to solve your problem.

I have a disability. Can you accommodate my needs?

We will always do our best to accommodate all of our customers’ needs and circumstances. If you have a disability that you believe could impact how you travel or participate in our trips, just get in touch – we’ll figure it out together.

Is there an age limit for participants?

Yes, you have to be 18 or older to join our trips. No upper age limit – though if you’re considering applying for US president, you might be pushing it.