Warsaw Marathon

Warsaw Marathon
DateLate September or early October
LocationWarsaw, Poland
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon
Primary sponsorNationale-Nederlanden
Established30 September 1979
(47 years ago) (1979-09-30)
Course recordsMen's: 2:08:17 (2011)
Kenya John Kibet
Women's: 2:24:48 (2026)
Hungary Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth
Official siteOfficial website
Participants10,830 finishers (2026)

The Warsaw Marathon (Polish: Maraton Warszawski pronounced: [maˈratɔn varˈʂafskʲi], also referred to as the PZU Warsaw Marathon and Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon since 2023) is an annual marathon event which takes place on the streets of Warsaw, Poland. It is the oldest annual marathon in Poland, held since 1979. The marathon is organized by the non-governmental organization Fundacja Maraton Warszawski. The race usually takes place on the last Sunday of September and is categorized as an Elite Label Road Race by World Athletics.

It is one of two marathons hosted in the city, alongside the Orlen Warsaw Marathon, which was held in 2013–2019. The marathon is one of five in the Crown of Polish Marathons program, along with the Dębno, Kraków, Poznań, and Wrocław Marathons.

Polish competitors usually triumphed in the early editions of the event both in the men's and women's competitions. However, since the fall of communism in 1989, the race has attracted more international participants who started to dominate the race. The current course records are 2:08:17 hours for men, set by John Kibet of Kenya in 2011, while Hungarian Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth's run of 2:24:48 in 2026 is the fastest by a woman on the course.

History

The marathon was first held on 30 September 1979 under the original name "1st Marathon of Peace" (to convince socialistic regime about the idea of "run for health, run for all"). It happened thanks to the three brave people: Tomasz Hopfer (TVP journalist and runner), Józef Węgrzyn (journalist and runner) and Zbigniew Zaremba (1st director of the Warsaw Marathon; and running coach). In the inaugural race, the length of the course was just 40.6 kilometres (25.2 mi), and not the normal, classic distance of 42.195 km (26.219 mi).

In 2000 the men's race and in 2012 the women's race had the status of Polish Marathon National Championships.

From 2013, the Polish insurance company Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń (PZU) became a title sponsor, and the marathon was renamed "PZU Warsaw Marathon".

External image
image icon Course map of full marathon in 2020

In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers rescheduled the marathon to take place over four separate heats during the weekend, with each heat having a maximum of 250 runners. In addition, the course was changed to a loop of 5 km (3.1 mi) in the center of the city. Since nearly 2000 runners had already registered for the race, a lottery was held to determine who was allowed to participate, with those denied a spot allowed to transfer their entry to 2021 or obtain a refund.

Participants passing the 27th kilometre mark in 2013
Runners entering the district of Ursynów during the 35th edition of the marathon.
Schedule of heats in 2020
HeatDateTimeTime limit
126 September 202016:006.5 hours
227 September 202000:006.5 hours
327 September 202008:004.0 hours
427 September 202013:006.0 hours

Other races

Although the main attraction is the marathon, there is also a handbike marathon and a "High Five Race" (5 km race).

Since 2022, a 10-kilometre race aimed at beginners known as the Pekao SA Warszawska Dycha (Warsaw Tenner) has also been organized as part of the event. Since 2023, it is known as Nice to Fit You Warszawska Dycha.

Other activities

During the marathon weekend, additional activities take place, such as a sport and fitness expo, running seminars, and activities for children.

Results

Key:   Course record

Year Finishers Men's winner Country Time Women's winner Country Time Rf.
2026 10, 830 Stephen Kibor  Kenya 2:09:19 Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth  Hungary 2:24:48
2025 9,527 Ryoma Takeuchi  Japan 2:11:21 Michelle Schaub   Switzerland 2:33:41
2024 7,079 Levente Szemerei  Hungary 2:10:43 Olga Nyzhnyk  Ukraine 2:31:24
2023 5,555 Levente Szemerei  Hungary 2:15:29 Ewa Jagielska  Poland 2:34:41
2022 3,707 Joseph Munywoki  Kenya 2:10:07 Demissie Ayantu  Ethiopia 2:28:35
2021 2,734 Yared Shegumo  Poland 2:14:38 Monika Andrzejczak  Poland 2:31:11
2020 854 Paweł Kosek  Poland 2:23:14 Dominika Stelmach-Stawczyk  Poland 2:41:57
2019 4,557 Dadi Yami  Ethiopia 2:11:39 Rebecca Korir  Kenya 2:29:04
2018 7,528 David Metto  Kenya 2:12:44 Beatrice Cherop  Kenya 2:35:22
2017 5,460 Błażej Brzeziński  Poland 2:11:27 Bekelu Beji  Ethiopia 2:35:09
2016 5,921 Ezekiel Omullo  Kenya 2:08:55 Gladys Kibiwot  Bahrain 2:36:34
2015 5,491 Ezekiel Omullo  Kenya 2:09:19 Ruth Wanjiru  Kenya 2:29:39
2014 6,679 Victor Kipchirchir  Kenya 2:09:59 Svitlana Stanko  Ukraine 2:33:04
2013 8,506 Yared Shegumo  Poland 2:10:34 Goitetom Haftu  Ethiopia 2:29:32
2012 6,796 James Mutua  Kenya 2:15:02 Agnieszka Ciołek  Poland 2:34:15
2011 4,061 John Kibet  Kenya 2:08:17 Svitlana Stanko  Ukraine 2:31:28
2010 3,322 Tola Bane  Ethiopia 2:13:10 Tetyana Holovchenko  Ukraine 2:31:37
2009 3,164 Teshome Gelana  Ethiopia 2:12:03 Anastasiya Padalinskaya  Belarus 2:44:55
2008 2,640 Alemayehu Shumye  Ethiopia 2:11:50 Małgorzata Sobańska  Poland 2:31:20
2007 2,119 Paweł Ochal  Poland 2:12:20 Valentina Poltavska  Ukraine 2:40:18
2006 1,860 Vitalij Shafar  Ukraine 2:12:29 Nina Podnebesnowa  Russia 2:42:43
2005 1,689 Grzegorz Gajdus  Poland 2:14:50 Nina Kolyasewa  Russia 2:34:53
2004 937 Radosław Dudycz  Poland 2:17:21 Janina Malska  Poland 2:48:41
2003 1,063 Artur Pelo  Poland 2:20:41 Karina Szymańska  Poland 2:42:04
2002 307 Dmitrijs Šlesarenoks  Latvia 2:30:02 Marlena Żołnowska  Poland 3:36:19
2001 564 Bartosz Mazerski  Poland 2:24:45 Maria Bąk  Germany 2:48:31
2000 587 Mirosław Plawgo  Poland 2:15:57 Ewa Fliegert  Poland 2:51:02
1999 693 David Ngetich  Kenya 2:16:31 Karina Szymańska  Poland 2:45:44
1998 867 Grzegorz Głogosz  Poland 2:17:06 Karina Szymańska  Poland 2:36:24
1997 700 Wiesław Lenda  Poland 2:25:39 Karina Szymańska  Poland 2:42:18
1996 658 Artur Ociepa  Poland 2:18:14 Yelena Tsukhlo  Belarus 2:37:48
1995 779 Christo Stefanov  Bulgaria 2:15:37 Yelena Tsukhlo  Belarus 2:37:21
1994 788 Wiesław Lenda  Poland 2:17:50 Yelena Tsukhlo  Belarus 2:42:36
1993 520 Julius Mitibani  Tanzania 2:20:26 Polina Grigorenko  Russia 2:55:25
1992 794 Jacek Kasprzyk  Poland 2:17:38 Aniela Nikiel  Poland 2:42:27
1991 852 Ryszard Misiewicz  Poland 2:19:50 Małgorzata Birbach  Poland 2:47:21
1990 1,129 Krzysztof Niedziółka  Poland 2:20:08 Ewa Olas  Poland 2:42:48
1989 1,222 Jerzy Skarżyński  Poland 2:22:19 Ewa Bober  Poland 3:01:14
1988 1,596 Paweł Tarasiuk  Poland 2:17:37 Stefania Kozik  Poland 2:55:34
1987 1,398 Wiesław Lenda  Poland 2:24:47 Renata Walendziak  Poland 2:38:24
1986 1,505 Józef Mitka  Poland 2:19:48 Maria Kawiorska  Poland 2:46:48
1985 1,607 Andrzej Malicki  Poland 2:20:29 Irina Hulanicka  Soviet Union 2:46:21
1984 1,914 Miroslaw Rudnik  Poland 2:25:15 Stefania Kozik  Poland 3:06:02
1983 1,919 Stanimir Nenov  Bulgaria 2:23:55 Irena Maliborska  Poland 2:59:38
1982 1,727 Zbigniew Pierzynka  Poland 2:24:09 Helena Kozioryńska  Poland 3:08:52
1981 2,015 Jerzy Finster  Poland 2:17:06 Cindy Wuss  United States 2:51:22
1980 2,289 Jerzy Gros  Poland 2:22:12 Anna Bełtowska  Poland 3:05:14
1979 1,861 Kazimierz Pawlik  Poland 2:11:34 Renata Pentlinowska  Poland 2:51:38

Multiple wins

Athlete Wins Years
 Karina Szymańska (POL)41997, 1998, 1999, 2003
 Wiesław Lenda (POL)31987, 1994, 1997
 Yelena Tsukhlo (BLR)31994, 1995, 1996
 Stefania Kozik (POL)21984, 1988
 Ezekiel Omullo (KEN)22015, 2016
 Yared Shegumo (POL)22013, 2021
 Svitlana Stanko (UKR)22011, 2014
 Levente Szemerei (HUN) 2 2023, 2024

By country

Country Total Men's Women's
 Poland512724
 Kenya1293
 Ethiopia743
 Ukraine615
 Belarus404
 Hungary321
 Russia303
 Bulgaria220
 Bahrain101
 Germany101
 Japan 1 1 0
 Soviet Union101
  Switzerland 1 0 1
 Tanzania110
 United States101

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This name may be used for sponsorship reasons or to distinguish it from the Orlen Warsaw Marathon.
  2. ↑ Restrictions due to the pandemic limited the number of people that could simultaneously compete in a race to 250 people.
  3. ↑ The start and finish was located on Senator Street [pl] in front of Theatre Square, and the majority of the loop was located on the Krakowskie Przedmieście and Miodowa Streets.
  4. ↑ Before the lottery was held, all registrants were given the option of transferring their entry to 2021 in case any were uninterested in participating.
  5. ↑ Limited due to restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
  6. 1 2 Shorter distance (about 40.6 km)

References

  1. ↑ "STS-TIMING.PL - WYNIKI 45. Nationale-Nederlanden Maraton Warszawski". live.sts-timing.pl. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  2. ↑ Milena Ostrawska (26 September 2026). "Maraton Warszawski z rangą Elite. Na trasę może wyjść ponad 20 tys. osób". klubysportowe.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  3. ↑ "ZIS Kraków". Retrieved 2022-07-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ "Crown of Polish marathons | Poznań Marathon". Retrieved 2022-07-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ "Warsaw Marathon". Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "PZU became a title sponsor for Warsaw Marathon". pzu.pl (in Polish). 2013-08-28. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-02-28.
  7. 1 2 3 "Course – Maraton Warszawski". maratonwarszawski.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "42nd Warsaw Marathon will take place on September 26th and 27th 2020! - Maraton Warszawski". Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  9. ↑ "Ballot results – Maraton Warszawski". Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  10. ↑ "Distribution of slots in the 42nd PZU ORLENWarsaw Marathon – the rules". Maraton Warszawski. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  11. ↑ "44. Maraton Warszawski przeszedł do historii. Rekord imprezy wśród kobiet" (in Polish). 25 September 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  12. ↑ prasowa, inf (2023-05-18). "Nice To Fit You rozszerza współpracę z Fundacją "Maraton Warszawski"". NowyMarketing - Where's the beef? (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  13. ↑ Renata Gaweł (27 September 2026). "Kenijczyk i Węgierka z rekordami. Oto zwycięzcy Maratonu Warszawskiego 2026". rmf24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  14. ↑ "Maraton Warszawski 2026: wyniki 48. edycji" [2026 Warsaw Marathon: Results of the 2026 Edition]. obieganiu.pl (in Polish). 27 September 2026. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
  15. ↑ SGr (2025-09-28). "47th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon – record attendance and new Polish champions". Maraton Warszawski. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  16. ↑ "2024 Warsaw Marathon results". sts-timing.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "45. Maraton Warszawski – Warszawa 2023 info, trasa, wyniki". aktywer.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "Live.sts-timing.pl. 2022. STS-TIMING.PL – WYNIKI". Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  19. ↑ "43. Maraton Warszawski" (PDF). 2021-09-26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  20. ↑ "STS-Timing.pl – Wyniki". Archived from the original on 2020-09-27.
  21. ↑ "Kto wygrał 42. PZU ORLEN Maraton Warszawski? 854 zawodników na mecie biegu stacjonarnego". 27 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28.
  22. ↑ September 2013 AIMS results Archived 2016-03-17 at the Wayback Machine. AIMS. Retrieved on 2013-10-05.
  23. ↑ Wyniki online Archived 2013-10-02 at the Wayback Machine. 35mw (2013-09-29). Retrieved on 2013-10-05.