Monthly Archives: March 2025

After the run on runpixe.com, search by race number, and you will find photos from professional photographers and supporters in an easy-to-download digital album. You can leave your email on the website to be notified when the photos are available.
Shortly after the event, photos with recognized start numbers will be available on runpixie.com. Remember, you can also upload your selfie to look for those shots where a portion of the number has been covered by your hand!

A Historic Day for Polish Running: Record-Breaking Turnout and Outstanding Performances at the 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon

Spring arrived in spectacular way in the Polish capital, bringing with it a flurry of records and unforgettable moments. The 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon officially became the largest half marathon in Polish history, with a record-breaking 14,720 participants at the starting line. The accompanying New Balance High Five also drew an unprecedented crowd, and both races delivered top-tier performances from the winners. With tens of thousands of enthusiastic Warsaw residents cheering on every kilometer, March 30, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark date in Polish running history.

World-Class Racing and Historic Performances in Warsaw

This year’s edition of the Warsaw Half Marathon was awarded the World Athletics Elite Label for the first time, attracting a strong international field and delivering a high level of competition.

The men’s race was won by Soufian Bouquantar of Morocco, who crossed the finish line in 1:02:24. Just four seconds behind him was fellow Moroccan Mohamed El Ghazouany (1:02:28), while Kenya’s Edwin Cheruiyot Soi secured third place with a time of 1:02:32. The top Polish runner, Adam Nowicki, finished just off the podium in fourth place, matching his personal best of 1:02:51. The battle for victory was fierce — by the 15-kilometer mark, a lead group of four had broken away from the pack, ultimately deciding the podium among themselves.

“Conditions were great out there today – the course was fast, and the weather couldn’t have been better. I didn’t feel quite as strong as I have in my recent races, but this was an important opportunity to test myself ahead of the European Championships in two weeks. Breaking the Polish record is definitely on my mind, but I know a lot of things have to come together for that to happen” said Adam Nowicki, the top Polish finisher at the 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon.

“The crowd support was amazing – you could really feel the energy from the sidelines, and it gave me a big boost. I first ran this race ten years ago, and coming back now as a more experienced athlete, it’s incredibly satisfying to still be chasing my goals at this level” he added.

In the women’s race, Argentina’s Daiana Ocampo led from the front and never looked back, finishing first with an impressive time of 1:10:48. She set a fast early pace that proved unreachable for the rest of the field. Viktoriia Kaliuzhna of Ukraine took second place in 1:12:13, followed closely by Kenya’s Sylvia Mboga Medugu in third with a time of 1:12:20. The fastest Polish woman was Sabina Jarząbek, who claimed fourth place in 1:12:47.

116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon – Top 6 Men (gross time):

1. Soufian BOUQUANTAR (Morocco) – 1:02:24
2. Mohamed EL GHAZOUANY (Morocco) – 1:02:28
3. Edwin CHERUIYOT SOI (Kenya) – 1:02:32
4. Adam NOWICKI (Poland) – 1:02:51
5. Chakib LACHGAR (Spain) – 1:04:36
6. Abdennasser OUKHELFEN (Spain) – 1:05:11

116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon – Top 6 Women (gross time):

1. Daiana OCAMPO (Argentina) – 1:10:48
2. Viktoriia KALIUZHNA (Ukraine) – 1:12:13
3. Sylvia MBOGA MEDUGU (Kenya) – 1:12:20
4. Sabina JARZĄBEK (Poland) – 1:12:47
5. Beata NIEMYJSKA (Poland) – 1:15:36
6. Joanna KONOPKO (Poland) – 1:18:05

A total of 14,720 runners took part in this year’s race, setting a new all-time Polish record for half marathon participation.

The New Balance Run for Five also saw record turnout, with 5375 finishers crossing the line. Mikołaj Czeronek won the men’s 5K in 14:34, while Elżbieta Glinka took the women’s title in 16:02.

New Balance High Five – Top 6 Men (gross time):

1. Mikołaj CZERONEK (Poland) – 14:34
2. Dariusz NOWAKOWSKI (Poland) – 14:35
3. Jakub NAPIERAŁA (Poland) – 14:44
4. Filip BABIK (Poland) – 15:01
5. Emil DOBROWOLSKI (Poland) – 15:11
6. Michał MISIEWICZ (Poland) – 15:15

New Balance High Five – Top 6 Women (gross time):

1. Elżbieta GLINKA (Poland) – 16:02
2. Agnieszka CHORZĘPA (Poland) – 16:33
3. Ewa JAGIELSKA (Poland) – 16:36
4. Dominika STELMACH (Poland) – 16:52
5. Iwona WICHA (Poland) – 17:09
6. Yuliia VEREMCHUK (Ukraine) – 17:11

An impressive 20,095 participants took to the streets of Warsaw across both the Half Marathon and the New Balance High Five – a truly remarkable turnout!

A Route That Showcased the Best of Warsaw

Once again, the Warsaw Half Marathon route offered both speed and scenery. Runners set off from Poniatowski Bridge, passed through key city landmarks including Aleje Jerozolimskie, Krakowskie Przedmieście, and Żoliborz, then crossed Gdański Bridge before finishing near the PGE Narodowy Stadium. Every part of the course reflected the dynamic character of the city and its undeniable energy.

“Today we achieved exactly what we set out to do. We wanted to create an event that would not only be the biggest in Poland but would also bring together top-tier athletes and showcase the spirit of Warsaw. And we succeeded. Record participation, World Athletics Elite Label, and fantastic results. But above all, what moved me most was the emotion – the thousands of fans, volunteers, and runners who made this day unforgettable. Today, Warsaw didn’t just host a race – it ran alongside us” – said Marek Tronina, CEO of the “Warsaw Marathon” Foundation.

Loud Cheers and Community Spirit – Warsaw Cheered with Heart

From start to finish, the city embraced the race with open arms. Music and cheers filled the streets, and 29 official cheering zones were set up all along the course, keeping the energy high with everything from live orchestras and samba drums to family-friendly areas offering face painting and bubble fun. The finish zone near the PGE Narodowy Stadium was transformed into a vibrant Runner’s Village – a space for athletes and fans to relax, enjoy live music, and take part in activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. It was more than a race – it was a joyful celebration of community, movement, and positivity.

#BiegamDobrze – Running for a Greater Cause

Among the thousands of participants, 1739 runners stood out in orange – the ambassadors of the #BiegamDobrze (Polish for “I run for good”) charity initiative. Together, they raised over 750,000 PLN (and counting, with online donations open until April 4) for various non-profit organizations. Supported by foundation representatives on the route and at the finish line, these runners turned every step into a gesture of support and solidarity. For more than a decade, #BiegamDobrze has shown how running can go hand-in-hand with doing good, and this year was no exception.

Thank You, Warsaw!

The 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon was a historic event – full of powerful performances, emotional moments, and an atmosphere like no other. The Warsaw Marathon Foundation would like to thank all participants, volunteers, fans, partners, and the people of Warsaw. Your energy and enthusiasm made this event truly extraordinary. For many, this was the start of a new running journey. For others, a moment of inspiration. Either way, we hope to see you at the next starting line. Until then – keep running, Warsaw!

ROUTES

Route of the 116 123 Warsaw Half Marathon – check the map HERE >>>.

Route of the New Balance High Five Run – click HERE >>>.

Both runs start from the Poniatowski Bridge.

NOTE!

We have prepared separate starting gates for each run. The starting gate for the 116 123 Warsaw Half Marathon is closer to the Washington Roundabout, and the starting gate for the New Balance High Five Run is about 400 meters further from the center.

The start zone, where New Balance High Five Run runners will line up, is located in front of the start gate of the Half Marathon. After the warm-up (9:25 a.m.), we will all walk together to the start gate of the New Balance High Five Run, from where the run will officially begin and where the timing mat will be located. Remember, don’t come to the start at the last minute.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

We’ll meet on March 30 – the last Sunday of the month. This means that the night before the race, the clocks will move forward one hour for daylight saving time, so “we sleep an hour less before the start.”

MARATHON VILLAGE

In the surroundings of PGE Narodowy, there will be a Marathon Village, where all important zones will be located – deposits, changing rooms, and a post-run meal zone.

Fans will also find their way to the town – there will be plenty of entertainment for young and old. You will be able to take advantage of, among other things, preventive examinations, prepared activities for children, advice from nutritionists and other attractions prepared by our partners.

We recommend arriving by subway at the National Stadium station (M2) to get to the city and start the run. When leaving the subway at this station, use exit number 7, which is the exit towards the Township.

Remember that public transportation is free for runners on the day of the run.

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.

The deadline for team registration in the team classification for the 116 123 Warsaw Half Marathon is March 27. Are you participating in the race? Do you know your friends are running too? Perfect! Sign up for the team competition – it’s a free classification, and the top three teams will receive trophies. The award ceremony for the best teams will take place at 1:45 PM on stage.

Key information about the popular “team competition”:

• A team consists of 4 people, including at least one woman and one man.
• The team’s final result is the sum of four (4) finish times of its members, including at least one woman and one man.
• To be classified, all team members must complete the half marathon. The team with the lowest total time wins.
• If two or more teams have the same total time, the team with the fastest individual runner will be ranked higher.
• The top three teams in the team classification will receive trophies.
• Only registered participants with assigned race numbers can be included in the team classification.
• Registration deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2:00 PM.
• Any registered runner with a race number can be the team captain.
• The captain registers the team via their account in the registration panel (https://rejestracja.maratonwarszawski.com/pl/), selects “Your races” or “Registration details”, and follows the instructions to add team members.

The team captain is responsible for:

• Registering the team for the team classification,
• Deciding on the team lineup,
• Representing the team,
• Communicating with race organizers.

The complete “team competition” regulations are part of the event’s official rules and regulations.

23,000 runners will follow their running dreams in Warsaw. More than 2 weeks before the event, we have sold out all available bibs for the half marathon and the New Balance High Five Run.

We can’t wait to see you at the EXPO and the starting line on the day of the half marathon. See you there!

Meanwhile, registration for the Marathon in September is getting closer and closer to selling out half of the slots. Don’t hesitate and register today ➡️

Here is the medal that will hang around your necks already on March 30, 2025. It will be the one that will remind you of your Warsaw experience!

It features a symbolic block referring to the building of the Polish Supreme Court and spring taking off in Warsaw with the help of blooming flowers.