Warsaw is fast, very fast. This year, the elite have the potential to break country and continental records. Marek Tronina, director of the race, says this about the race:
The lineup of top male and female athletes set to compete for victory in this year’s race promises an incredibly close contest and excitement until the very last meter. Last year’s edition was just as thrilling, with only 10 seconds separating the top three men at the finish. Interestingly, not a single one of last year’s podium finishers will be at the starting line this time! However, this does not mean a lower level of competition—quite the opposite. Given that this year’s Warsaw Half Marathon has been awarded the prestigious World Athletics Elite Label Race status, we can expect even faster times than 12 months ago.
Who to Watch?
Among the men, three names stand out:
- Ilias Fifa (Spain) – Just eight weeks ago, he set a new Spanish national record for 10 km in Valencia, clocking 27:41. His subsequent marathon debut in Seville (2:10:10) was less spectacular, but he is certainly aiming for a podium finish.
- Soufian Bouquantar (Morocco) – With a half marathon personal best of 59:58, a 10 km best of 27:51, and a 1:00:37 result from two weeks ago in the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon, this 31-year-old is a strong contender for victory.
- Adam Nowicki (Poland) – Fresh off an outstanding 2:08:42 marathon—Poland’s second-fastest time ever—Nowicki has a real shot at breaking the Polish half marathon record (1:01:32), which has stood for over four years. His recent 28:48 10 km time in Poznań shows he is in good form. If he can maintain pace with the lead group (which is expected to start below Polish record pace), anything is possible.
Of course, there’s no guarantee these three will claim all podium spots. Other notable competitors include Olympic medalist Edwin Soi (Kenya), Chakib Lachgar (Spain, PB 1:01:45), Abdennasser Oukhelfen (Spain, PB 1:02:06), and Filmon Teklebrhan-Behre (Germany), who finished fourth last year. We anticipate several times below 1:01:30.
Women’s Field: Aiming for Records
The women’s field is slightly smaller, but full of ambition. Starting with the Polish competitors:
- Monika Olejarz (formerly Jackiewicz) and Sabina Jarząbek finished first and second in last year’s Polish Half Marathon Championships in Warsaw. Since then, Olejarz got married, and Jarząbek completed a high-altitude training camp in New Mexico, returning to Poland full of confidence. Both are targeting the Polish record (69:18)—a mark set by Karolina Nadolska and waiting for a new owner.
- Daiana Ocampo (Argentina) – The current Argentine and South American record stands at 69:28, and Ocampo believes she can break it. She has fond memories of Poland, having won last year’s Poznań Marathon, and will be aiming for another victory.
- Valentine Jebet (Kenya) – Winner of the Recordowa Dziesiątka 10 km race, she holds a 31:41 PB over 10 km and recently defeated Monika Olejarz. She may well be the favorite.
Can anyone challenge these four? Ukrainian Viktoriia Kaliuzhna, Kenyan Sylvia Medugu, and other competitors may find a sub-70-minute finish out of reach, but surprises are always possible in sports.
Men’s Favorites:
- Adam Nowicki (Poland)
- Chakib Lachgar (Spain)
- Ilias Fifa (Spain)
- Edwin Soi (Kenya)
- Soufian Bouquantar (Morocco)
- Abdennasser Oukhelfen (Spain)
- Mohamed El Ghazouany (Morocco)
- Filmon Teklebrhan-Behre (Germany)
Women’s Favorites:
- Viktoriia Kaliuzhna (Ukraine)
- Daiana Ocampo (Argentina)
- Monika Olejarz (Poland)
- Sabina Jarząbek (Poland)
- Sylvia Medugu (Kenya)
- Emilia Siltanen (Finland)
- Valentine Jebet (Kenya)
With such a strong lineup, the 2025 Warsaw Half Marathon promises an electrifying race, potential record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments for both the athletes and spectators.
