The great running euphoria by the Vistula River! There’s just over a week left until the start of the 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon, and the starting lists for both the half marathon and the High Five Race continue to grow! In total, nearly 20 thousand runners will participate in both distances. With the Polish Half Marathon Championships and the #BiegamDobrze campaign, what else awaits us in a week?
Spring, despite the recent weather fluctuations, will surely kick off in Warsaw – it’s already a tradition! The 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon, along with the accompanying New Balance High Five Race, are immensely popular. There are already 14 thousand names on the starting list for the main race, and nearly 5 thousand have signed up for the accompanying run.
– This year, we have a completely new route and a record-breaking edition ahead of us. Before the pandemic, the Warsaw Half Marathon attracted 12-13 thousand participants. Today, we have almost 14 thousand registered runners. The number of registrations, together with the High Five Race, is almost 20 thousand. – says Marek Tronina, President of the “Warsaw Marathon” Foundation.
The 33rd Polish Half Marathon Championships and a new route
During the 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon, the 33rd Polish Half Marathon Championships will take place. This is a distinction for the capital and a promise of great emotions. The starting list includes almost sixty names, including: Mateusz Kaczor with a personal best in the half marathon of 1:03:31 and Monika Jackiewicz (PB: 1:10:39), fighting for qualification for the upcoming European Half Marathon Championships in Rome.
– My form is stable, after the marathon I maintain it, I want to improve my results. Last year, I was more exploited, but I wasn’t afraid to move forward. Last year, I finished first among Poles and first among Europeans. – says Mateusz Kaczor, contender for the title of Polish half marathon champion.
In addition to the championship presence, the anniversary associated with the route is also exceptional. Exactly ten years ago, the start and finish were located in the same locations where we will meet now. The route favors fast running. The start of the half marathon will be located on Poniatowski Bridge. The route will lead along Aleje Jerozolimskie towards De Gaulle Roundabout. Then, the runners will head towards Żoliborz until reaching Wilson Square. Afterwards, they will reach Wybrzeże Gdyńskie via Gwiaździsta Street and reach Gdański Bridge. After crossing to the other side of the Vistula River, they will traverse Praga-Południe along the Helska Coast and streets Okrzei, Jagiellońska, and Zamoyskiego until reaching the PGE National Stadium, where the finish line will be located.
The New Balance High Five Race – a unique opportunity for amateurs
Together with the 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon on March 24th, the New Balance High Five Race will also start. At 9:30 AM, runners will begin their challenge on Poniatowski Bridge, then the route will lead along Aleje Jerozolimskie to De Gaulle Roundabout – where the runners will turn, intersecting the half marathon route. At the roundabout, runners will make a turnaround. They will then head towards the finish line located on the błonia PGE Narodowego via Szczecińskie Wybrzeże and Siwca Street.
“We are very pleased with the steadily increasing turnout. We believe that if you run, you’re a runner. Anyone can complete 5 kilometers, so the New Balance High Five Race is the perfect solution for everyone. It’s a good start to the running season!” says Iga Bielawski, Marketing Director CEE at New Balance.
“The 5K distance is the most accommodating for anyone who wants to test themselves before longer distances, to see where they stand. It’s great that such big events offer shorter distances, allowing everyone to participate, even those who are just starting out or accompanying other runners. I’m curious to see the results at the finish line this time.” says Henryk Szost, Polish marathon record holder and ambassador of New Balance.
Warsaw Running
Once again, the title sponsor of this exceptional event is the Nationale-Nederlanden brand, for which participation in the event is another activity in promoting prevention and a healthy lifestyle. The brand has been involved in running events in Poland and abroad for years.
“Above all, we promote prevention. Running is already in our DNA and blood, and it shows. Everyone should try their hand at it because it’s not a sport for the elite, but for anyone who wants to run and thereby take care of their health,” says Karolina Dzwonnik-Jankowska, Marketing and Communication Expert at Nationale-Nederlanden Poland.
Another brand involved in sports events is Nice To Fit You.
“We support active individuals as part of our ‘Taste of Sporting Passion’ program, mainly runners, which is why we are once again sponsoring the Maraton Warszawski Foundation runs. We take care of athletes by providing them with tasty and well-balanced diets, which we are experts in and know best. Now we also have running experts on our side. In addition to Adam Kszczot, our trainers are Robert Korzeniowski and Ola Guzik. You’ll be able to meet all three on the half marathon route and the 5K run in a week’s time. Adam, Ola, and Mr. Robert will surely motivate the runners on the course, and you’ll also be able to meet them at our area in the running village,” says Sylwia Ramos-Wójcik, brand manager at Nice To Fit You.
#BiegamDobrze
As part of the registration for the 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon and the New Balance High Five Race, runners had the opportunity to choose the charitable path #BiegamDobrze (#RunWell). The Warsaw Marathon Foundation collaborates with 11 charitable organizations that can be supported by setting up a special fundraiser. They encourage friends and family to make donations, offering the chance to receive a prestigious “orange” starting number and make their run more than just a race.
“We’ve come to love this event for its charitable nature, as it combines a passion for running with a desire to help others. We want to support runners, volunteers, athletes, and foundations. We fund the highest #BiegamDobrze fundraisers in the half marathon distance, supporting those in need with amounts of 5, 10, and 15 thousand Polish zlotys. We run not only for ourselves but also for others. The positive energy inspires everyone to help,” says Marta Pokutycka-Mądrala, Director of Corporate Communications and spokesperson for Nationale-Nederlanden.
It’s the final moments to register!
There are still moments left to join the ranks of runners who will welcome spring in the best possible way on March 24th.
“For weeks, I’ve been living with this race; it’s something different from running on a treadmill or even in competitions. Here, you can run for yourself, but also for others, for a greater purpose. Everyone can decide for themselves what running means to them. The difference between individual runs and a half marathon or marathon lies in the experience. What remains after a street race is incomparable. It connects everyone involved because running is for each of us,” says Adam Kszczot, a multiple medalist at the European Championships, indoor European Championships, World Championships, and indoor World Championships, Ambassador of the NTFY brand.
Centenary of the first marathon in Poland
This year marks a special milestone, the 100th anniversary of the first marathon race in Poland. The event took place on November 2nd, 1924, in Rembertów, with eight participants, only three of whom reached the finish line. The champion was Stefan Szelestowski, who completed the entire course in 3:13:10. To commemorate this centenary, the Warsaw Marathon Foundation is organizing activations to promote running the royal distance.
“The first marathon in Poland took place on November 2nd, 1924. It was a different event, with only 8 participants. 100 years later, we feel responsible for many running traditions. We have prepared special events for the 100th anniversary, including the launch of a centennial website showcasing this year’s events. The culmination of the 100th anniversary will be the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon. Right after the 18th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon, we will start the campaign related to the centenary, and we can promise that it will be exciting,” says Marek Tronina, president of the Warsaw Marathon Foundation.
Don’t hesitate and sign up today!
Registration for the event is done through the website: https://rejestracja.maratonwarszawski.com/en/
For more information about the upcoming race, visit: https://polmaratonwarszawski.com/en/race-guide/
