Szabolcs Beda
runner
Szabolcs Beda is one of Hungary’s most accomplished multi day ultrarunners, known for his consistency, durability, and ability to perform at elite level across 24 hour, 48 hour and 6 day formats. With more than a decade of experience in extreme endurance events, he has built a reputation as one of the country’s most reliable long distance performers — and he has done it entirely on a vegan diet.
- World champion, 48 hour running
- Multiple national wins
- over 800 km in a six day race
In 2016 Szabolcs won the 50 km Velence Ultrarunning Cup and in 2018 he took the win at Szentendre 54km Trail. In 2019 Szabolcs won the 4-stage 196 km Balaton ultra and the Omszki Ultra 50 km.
In 2020 he won the Balaton ultra again and the Hammer 50 km ultra. In 2021 he won a 48 hour race, both the 12 hour and 48 hour national championships and races at 50 km, 50 mile and 85.6 km.
He retained his 48 hour national title in 2022 and added the national 100 mile championships among other results.
2023’s races included 13 events totalling over 2500 km, including winning the national 6 day trophy, the 6-hour championships and others. At the 6 Day championships he covered 803.650 km to finish first 1st male and in passing 800 km established him among the best in Europe. This was endorsed when, during that year he competed at the world 48 hour championships and took the win, making him world champion. He also helped Hungary to the team win.
He followed this with eight category wins in 2024. Szabolcs competed at the world six-day championships and came third, helping the national team to second overall. He also came third in the world 48 hour championships, where the team won.
In 2025 Szabolcs had and six category wins, and came 10th in the world six day championships.
🌱 Vegan Journey
“It was both an ethical and health decision.”
Szabolcs has been vegan since 2012, following five years as a vegetarian. The Hungarian athlete focused platforms describe him as “vegán ultrafutó” (vegan ultra runner) and note that he has maintained his plant based lifestyle for more than a decade.
In 2016 he reflected on his choices in an interview with ‘Zoldella’
“Before that, I was already vegetarian, and I learned more and more about the dairy industry and the harmful effects of dairy products (thanks to Anna Bonifert) [Anna is a Hungarian animal rights activist]. So it was both an ethical and health decision.”
Szabolcs found that there were no negative impacts on his performance.
“My performance clearly improved, as a vegan I broke my approximately 10-year-old marathon personal best with a time of 2:30. The second boost came when I switched to a high-carb diet, which is also followed by Kenyan super-runners.”
He said making the change wasn’t hard, quitting cheese was the most difficult, and in a 2022 interview with Viblance he reflected on his continued success as a vegan.
🏋️ Training & Approach
Beda is known for:
• High-volume aerobic training
• Strong pacing discipline in multi day formats
• A calm, methodical racing style
• Exceptional durability across 24–144 hours of competition
His ability to maintain steady output over several days is one of his defining strengths.
🏆 Legacy
With more than 800 km achieved in a 6 day race and podium finishes across Hungary’s major ultra events, Szabolcs Beda stands among the country’s most respected endurance athletes. His long-term vegan lifestyle — maintained throughout his peak competitive years — adds to his significance as a role model for plant powered endurance.
He continues to compete in multi day races and remains a prominent figure in Hungarian ultrarunning.