The Warsaw Marathon (Polish: Maraton Warszawski pronounced: , 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 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 , and not the normal, classic distance of .

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".

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 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.

+ Schedule of heats in 2020 Heat Date Time Time limit 1 16:00 6.5 hours 2 00:00 6.5 hours 3 08:00 4.0 hours 4 13:00 6.0 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:

Year Finishers Men's winner Country Time Women's winner Country Time Rf.2026Stephen Kibor2:09:19 Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth2:24:4820259,527Ryoma Takeuchi2:11:21Michelle Schaub2:33:41 2024 7,079 Levente Szemerei 2:10:43 Olga Nyzhnyk 2:31:24 2023 5,555 Levente Szemerei 2:15:29 Ewa Jagielska 2:34:41 2022 3,707 Joseph Munywoki 2:10:07 Demissie Ayantu 2:28:35 2021 2,734 Yared Shegumo 2:14:38 Monika Andrzejczak 2:31:11 2020 854 Paweł Kosek 2:23:14 Dominika Stelmach-Stawczyk 2:41:57 2019 4,557 Dadi Yami 2:11:39 Rebecca Korir 2:29:04 2018 7,528 David Metto 2:12:44 Beatrice Cherop 2:35:22 2017 5,460 Błażej Brzeziński 2:11:27 Bekelu Beji 2:35:09 2016 5,921 Ezekiel Omullo 2:08:55 Gladys Kibiwot 2:36:34 2015 5,491 Ezekiel Omullo 2:09:19 Ruth Wanjiru 2:29:39 2014 6,679 Victor Kipchirchir 2:09:59 Svitlana Stanko 2:33:04 2013 8,506 Yared Shegumo 2:10:34 Goitetom Haftu 2:29:32 September 2013 AIMS results . AIMS. Retrieved on 2013-10-05.Wyniki online . 35mw (2013-09-29). Retrieved on 2013-10-05. 2012 6,796 James Mutua 2:15:02 Agnieszka Ciołek 2:34:15 2011 4,061 John Kibet 2:08:17 Svitlana Stanko 2:31:28 2010 3,322 Tola Bane 2:13:10 Tetyana Holovchenko 2:31:37 2009 3,164 Teshome Gelana 2:12:03 Anastasiya Padalinskaya 2:44:55 2008 2,640 Alemayehu Shumye 2:11:50 Małgorzata Sobańska 2:31:20 2007 2,119 Paweł Ochal 2:12:20 Valentina Poltavska 2:40:18 2006 1,860 Vitalij Shafar 2:12:29 Nina Podnebesnowa 2:42:43 2005 1,689 Grzegorz Gajdus 2:14:50 Nina Kolyasewa 2:34:53 2004 937 Radosław Dudycz 2:17:21 Janina Malska 2:48:41 2003 1,063 Artur Pelo 2:20:41 Karina Szymańska 2:42:04 2002 307 Dmitrijs Šlesarenoks 2:30:02 Marlena Żołnowska 3:36:19 2001 564 Bartosz Mazerski 2:24:45 Maria Bąk 2:48:31 2000 587 Mirosław Plawgo 2:15:57 Ewa Fliegert 2:51:02 1999 693 David Ngetich 2:16:31 Karina Szymańska 2:45:44 1998 867 Grzegorz Głogosz 2:17:06 Karina Szymańska 2:36:24 1997 700 Wiesław Lenda 2:25:39 Karina Szymańska 2:42:18 1996 658 Artur Ociepa 2:18:14 Yelena Tsukhlo 2:37:48 1995 779 Christo Stefanov 2:15:37 Yelena Tsukhlo 2:37:21 1994 788 Wiesław Lenda 2:17:50 Yelena Tsukhlo 2:42:36 1993 520 Julius Mitibani 2:20:26 Polina Grigorenko 2:55:25 1992 794 Jacek Kasprzyk 2:17:38 Aniela Nikiel 2:42:27 1991 852 Ryszard Misiewicz 2:19:50 Małgorzata Birbach 2:47:21 1990 1,129 Krzysztof Niedziółka 2:20:08 Ewa Olas 2:42:48 1989 1,222 Jerzy Skarżyński 2:22:19 Ewa Bober 3:01:14 1988 1,596 Paweł Tarasiuk 2:17:37 Stefania Kozik 2:55:34 1987 1,398 Wiesław Lenda 2:24:47 Renata Walendziak 2:38:24 1986 1,505 Józef Mitka 2:19:48 Maria Kawiorska 2:46:48 1985 1,607 Andrzej Malicki 2:20:29 Irina Hulanicka 2:46:21 1984 1,914 Miroslaw Rudnik 2:25:15 Stefania Kozik 3:06:02 1983 1,919 Stanimir Nenov 2:23:55 Irena Maliborska 2:59:38 1982 1,727 Zbigniew Pierzynka 2:24:09 Helena Kozioryńska 3:08:52 1981 2,015 Jerzy Finster 2:17:06 Cindy Wuss 2:51:22 1980 2,289 Jerzy Gros 2:22:12 Anna Bełtowska 3:05:14 1979 1,861 Kazimierz Pawlik 2:11:34 Renata Pentlinowska 2:51:38

Multiple wins AthleteWinsYears 4 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 3 1987, 1994, 1997 3 1994, 1995, 1996 2 1984, 1988 2 2015, 2016 2 2013, 2021 2 2011, 201422023, 2024

By country CountryTotalMen'sWomen's 51 27 24 12 9 3 7 4 3 6 1 5 4 0 4 3 2 1 3 0 3 2 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1110 1 0 1101 1 1 0 1 0 1

See also Orlen Warsaw Marathon Cracovia Marathon Poznań Marathon Warsaw Half Marathon Sport in Poland

Notes

References

External links Warsaw Marathon Marathon Info