It so happened that at a certain period of my life I was lucky enough to visit Poland, and not just like that, but also to get to know in detail running events in this country, in particular, long-distance running. For two years of being interested in this sport, Polish starts have taken the leading positions in my running calendar. During this time, I took part in about 10 half-marathon races, quite different, both popular races of several thousand and not quite, which gather only up to 300 participants.
But everyone half marathon in Poland has one characteristic feature, they are all very well organized, the vast majority of them have an official website or facebook page, excellently planned routes, certified by PZLA (Polish Athletics Federation). And this means that errors in the length of the distance, if they do occur, are quite rare and insignificant. In addition, at all stages of the competition, athletes in Poland have good support from spectators on the track.
Another feature Polish half marathons there is the fact that, compared to competitions in other European countries, here the registration for the starts takes place quite early and it is inexpensive, the size of the starting fee starts from 50 zlotys. Also, among the advantages of half marathons in Poland are proximity to Ukraine and ease of access, as well as relatively affordable housing.
So, if you have confidently decided to start your acquaintance with half-marathons in Poland, then it is better to choose the most interesting one. Moreover, there is a lot to choose from. Site psb-biegi.com.pl compiled a rating of the 12 most popular Polish half-marathons. So, in his opinion, the most popular half marathon in Poland in 2018 was Warsaw Half Marathon (this is my second half marathon). If you count the total number of participants 12 the most popular half marathons in Poland, then 76,598 runners took part in them. Also on the list are two half marathons that have the IAAF Label, namely Polmaraton Warszawski (Silver Label Road Races) and Gdynia Half Marathon (Bronze Label Road Races).
- Official name: Warsaw Half Marathon
- Venue: Warsaw
- Date: March
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 14 $
- Website: polmaratonwarszawski.com
“Warsaw Half Marathon” is a 21-kilometer race held every year in March in the city of Warsaw. Its history began in 2006, and since then the popularity of this sporting event is only growing, and not only among Polish athletes, but also among athletes from other countries of the world. Half marathon route is a well-paved road that passes through the streets of the capital. The half-marathon has the Road Races Silver Label certificate.
- Official name: Poznan Half Marathon
- Venue: Poznan
- Date: April
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 19 $
- Website: halfmarathon.poznan.pl
“Poznan Half Marathon” - a 21-kilometer race, which has been held for the 14th time in a row in April in the city of Poznan. Every year, the running event gathers about 10,000 participants not only from Poland but also from various countries around the world. The main and permanent sponsor is "Bank Polski" with the support of such well-known companies as "Lidl", "Terravita", "Browar Fortuna", as well as the President of the city of Poznań and others. Half marathon route takes place on the well-paved streets of Poznań and has the Road Races Bronze Label certificate.
- Official name: Wroclaw Night Half Marathon
- Venue: Wroclaw
- Date: June
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 18 $
- Website: pol.wroclawmaraton.pl
"Nocny Wroclaw Polmaraton" is another very popular in the sports environment running event of Poland, a 21-kilometer race in the city of Wroclaw. It takes place every year in June and gathers about 10,000 athletes from different parts of the world. The race route is a well-paved track that passes through the old part of the city, the medieval quarter, the bridge over the Oder River, etc. The main highlight of this half marathon is that it takes place at night. Athletes will start at 21.30 from the Olympic Stadium, built in 1920. Half marathon in Wroclaw has a PZLA certificate.
- Official name: Сracovia Polmaraton Krolewski
- Venue: Krakow
- Date: October
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 14 $
- Website: cracoviapolmaraton.pl
"Cracovia Half Marathon Krolewski" – half marathon in Krakow, which takes place every autumn in October, beginning in 2014. It is slightly inferior to the previous number, but not by much, because last time it gathered a fairly large number of participants, almost 9 thousand. athletes. Distance route 21 kilometers through the picturesque streets of Krakow. The track is well paved and marked, it has a PZLA certificate.
- Official name: Night Half Marathon Praski
- Venue: Warsaw
- Date: September
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 20 $
- Website: polmaratonpraski.pl
"Praski Night Half Marathon" is another half marathon held in the capital of Poland. But unlike the "Warsaw Half Marathon", it takes place in autumn, at the beginning of September, and at night. Already for the 7th time, it gathers more than 6,000 people who want to try their hand not only at the main distance of 21 kilometers but also at sprints for 5 kilometers. The track has an asphalt surface, is well marked and certified by PZLA.
- Official name: Gdynia Half Marathon
- Venue: Gdynia
- Date: March
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 20 $
- Website: gdyniapolmaraton.pl
In the middle of March, another half-marathon is held in the city of Gdynia “Gdynia Half Marathon”, which, surprisingly, is one of the most important not only in Poland but also in the world. These competitions are 21 kilometer road race, in which about 6,000 athletes participate every year, and the half-marathon route has the Road Races Bronze Label.
- Official name: Slezansk Half Marathon
- Venue: Sobotka
- Date: March
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 10 $
- Website: polmaratonslezanski.pl
At the end of March in the town of Sobutka, which is near Wroclaw, there is a lot going on interesting race "Polmaraton Slezanski" for 21 kilometers. Its main feature is the difficulty of the route, because it has quite a lot of climbs. Climbing the pass between 7 and 9 kilometers of the distance is considered especially difficult for athletes. Half marathon route is completely asphalted and has a PZLA certificate.
- Official name: Pila Half Marathon
- Venue: Піла
- Date: September
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from $ 11
- Website: halfmarathon.pl
“Half Marathon Pila” is one of the oldest half marathons in Poland. It was organized for the first time back in 1991. And this year, its 31st edition took place. And although it was not possible to reach the pre-pandemic number of participants for the second year in a row, the competition is still very popular in the sports world. Half marathon route has an asphalt surface, is well marked and certified by PZLA.
- Official name: Bieg Lechitow
- Venue: Gniezno
- Date: September
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 14 $
- Website: bieglechitow.pl
“Bieg Lechitow” – the oldest half-marathon in Poland, which has been taking place continuously since 1978 in the city of Gniezno in September. As part of the competition, there is now a race not only for the main distance of 21 kilometers, but also a sprint for 5 kilometers. The half marathon course is well paved, marked and has PZLA certification. The main feature is not only the age and history of the half marathon, but also the opportunity for participants to get to know the places where the Polish state was born.
- Official name: Gdansk Half Marathon
- Venue: Gdansk
- Date: November
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 16 $
- Website: polmaratongdansk.pl
At the end of autumn, in the month of November, the city of Gdansk usually hosts a half-marathon - "Polmaraton Gdansk". It gathers about three thousand participants every year. The half-marathon route runs along a well-paved track through the streets of the city, which has a PZLA certificate. As part of the competition, two races are held at once, for the main distance of 21 kilometers and 10 kilometers.
- Official name: Bialystok Half Marathon
- Venue: Bialystok
- Date: May
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 14 $
- Website: bialystokpolmaraton.pl
“Bialystok Half Marathon” – another Polish half-marathon held with the support of BankPolskie in May in the city of Białystok. As part of the sports event, there is not only a 21-kilometer race, but also a 5-kilometer sprint. The track route is well paved and has a PZLA certificate.
- Official name: Krakow Marzanni Half Marathon
- Venue: Krakow
- Date: May
- Distances: 21 kilometers
- Route limit: 3 hours
- Entry fee: from 14 $
- Website: polmaratonmarzanny.pl
"Krakow Marzanni Half Marathon" is held every year in the city of Krakow at the beginning of the running season in March. This year, its 17th edition took place. A race of 21 and 10 kilometers was held as part of the competition. Their main motto is "Running for little hearts", because all the money collected by the organizers from participation in the running event is directed to the development of children's cardiac surgery. The track has an asphalt surface and is PZLA certified.
