Debrecen4U December 8, 2025

The Ugly Sweater Run is back, with runners wearing tacky or cute sweaters

The charity Ugly Sweater Run was held again, with several hundred participants joining the initiative. The donations collected will be delivered to families in need by the Debrecen Charity Board.

On Saturday morning, runners gathered in a festive atmosphere at Baltazár Dezső Square. Christmas ugly sweaters were brought out from the closets, and the group warm‑up was led by Luca Kozák. Both children and adults enjoyed the program.

“This is the fifth time we are organizing the Ugly Sweater Run as part of Debrecen Advent, and I believe its popularity is due to the fact that Debrecen already has a strong culture of sports and a love of running. What makes it special is that it goes hand in hand with donating, and that we do it during Advent with everyone putting on their ugly sweaters, which gives it a very lovely, festive, and anticipatory atmosphere,” Zita Dobos, Managing Director of Főnix Rendezvényszervező Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft., said.

The charity run aims not only to promote community sports but also to brighten the Christmas of disadvantaged families and children living in Debrecen and its surroundings.

“Now we combine pleasure with usefulness, because on the one hand, we bring a community together with the ugly sweater run, we run together, and we do something for our health. On the other hand, there is also a charitable purpose, which fortunately many people have not forgotten, and together we collect non-perishable food packages or chocolates for those in need, and we also have a lot of fun,” Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa emphasized.

The donations offered will be delivered to the families by the organizers through the staff of the Debrecen Charity Board.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu