How 2026 Went
Race day was 27 September 2026.
Full results →Course Map
About this Race
The PZU Warsaw Marathon is the Polish capital's flagship road race, a flat, fast course that runs through the rebuilt old town, past communist-era monuments, and across the Vistula River. The smooth, gently profiled roads make it a reasonable personal-best target, with only minor undulations to interrupt the rhythm. Held in autumn, it offers cool conditions well suited to hard racing and a growing international field. Crowds are warm and the route blends the city's layered history into the miles. It suits runners who want a fast, affordable Central European city marathon with a strong sense of place.
Course Insight
Warsaw is a flat, largely even autumn city marathon, smooth and rhythm-friendly with little terrain to slow a well-drilled pace. The flatness means the discipline to hold back early is entirely your own. Cool autumn air suits fast running. Open urban stretches can carry a breeze worth sheltering from. Pace it as a steady time trial and the level profile pays out in the closing kilometres.
Difficulty Breakdown
A fast, runner-friendly course.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 105m
- Elevation loss
- 105m
- Highest point
- 115m
- Lowest point
- 82m
- Net elevation
- 0m
- Start
- Świętokrzyska Street
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:08:17 — John Kibet (Kenya), 2011
- Women's
- 2:24:48 — Lili Anna Vindics-Toth (Ethiopia), 2026
Race History
The PZU Warsaw Marathon was first held in 1979 and has grown into one of Poland's flagship road races, touring the rebuilt old town and monuments of the capital across the Vistula. Its flat, fast course made it a popular autumn destination for personal bests. From its early editions it expanded into a major Central European marathon. Held each autumn, it now draws a large field through the heart of Warsaw.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Warsaw Chopin (WAW), Warsaw Modlin (WMI)
- Best area to stay
- Śródmieście and the Old Town for central hotels near the route, the city centre for modern high-rise stays, and Praga for hip, affordable digs across the river.
- Getting to the start
- The start is by the National Stadium (PGE Narodowy); take the Metro (M2) to Stadion Narodowy and walk to the start.