W ostatni weekend września – równolegle z 47. Nationale-Nederlanden Maratonem Warszawskim odbędzie Race Director Programme – elitarne, dwudniowe szkolenie dla dyrektorów biegów z całej Europy. Za kulisami największego biegu w Polsce spotkają się twórcy m.in. Maratonu w Rzymie, Aten i Amsterdamie, by wymieniać doświadczenia, inspirować się i wyznaczać nowe standardy. Jesteście zainteresowani? Zapoznajcie się z opisem i szczegółami!
DATE: 26-27.09.2025
PLACE: Palace of Culture and Science
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – click here
ABOUT RACE DIRECTOR PROGRAMME
Across Europe, races are selling out, running culture is thriving—and yet, many long-standing events struggle to break through the noise. This two-day forum was designed precisely for those who are ready to rethink, rebuild, and rise.
Whether you’re running a grassroots race or leading a well-established event that needs a fresh boost, this event will equip you with the tools, insights, and connections to take your race from good to great.
Marek Tronina, Fundacja „Maraton Warszawski”
Hosted by the Warsaw Marathon Foundation in partnership with Koźmiński Academy and powered by the Warsaw Convention Bureau, this hands-on event brings together 20 race organizers from across Europe to share strategies, learn from transformation case studies, and explore the operational heart of one of the continent’s fastest-growing races—the Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon.
From strategic insights and peer-driven workshops to behind-the-scenes tours and networking opportunities, the programme offers the tools and inspiration you need to reimagine your race and spark real change.
WHY YOU CAN’T MISS THIS EVENT
If you’re a race director or organizer, this is the one event you simply can’t miss! In just two days, you’ll gain insider strategies from Europe’s top race leaders, see the inner workings of one of the continent’s fastest-growing marathons, and leave with a clear, actionable plan to elevate your own race.
This is a rare, one-of-a-kind opportunity to rethink, rebuild, and future-proof your race — and the benefits will last long after the finish line. Secure your place now and be part of the transformation.
- Real-World Strategies – Learn how once-local races became internationally relevant
- Peer-Driven Learning – Join interactive sessions created by race organizers, for race organizers
- Tactical Workshops – Gain actionable insights in marketing, operations, and strategic growth
- Behind-the-Scenes Access – Explore the full machinery of the 47th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon
- Powerful Networking – Exchange ideas with 20 selected European race leaders in a focused, working-group format
- Prestigious Setting – Hosted at the Palace of Culture and Science and moderated by Prof. Grzegorz Mazurek, President of Koźmiński Academy
AGENDA
FRIDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Theme: Strategy, Trends & Transformation
14:30–15:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
15:00–15:15 Opening: Why Are We Here? – Introduction to the Programme
15:15–16:30 Running Is a Business – Fabien Rassek, Head of Sales, Finishers.com
16:30-17:00 Coffee break & networking
17:00–18:30 3 Cities – 3 Transformations. Case stories from guest speakers:
– Lorenzo Benfenati (Maratona di Roma)
– Sotiris Kyrianakos (Athens Marathon. The Authentic)
– Yoshi Groen (Bijlmer Run, Amsterdam)
18:30-19:00 Q&A with Speakers
19:00–21:00 Behind the Scenes (1): Visit the start/finish area of the 47th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon
SATURDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Theme: Practical Tools & Actionable Insights
08:45–09:00 Coffee & Kick-off
09:00–10:00 Inspiration from Transformation – small group operational sessions
10:00–10:30 Self-assessment: Diagnose Your Race
10:30–12:00 Behind the Scenes (2): the Operation Center and refreshments break
12:00-12:45 Fix One Thing – Mini-workshop
12:45-13.45 Case Study: 20 Years of Change in Warsaw – Marek Tronina, Warsaw Marathon Director
13:45-14:15 From Plan to Action – create the roadmap
14:15-14:30 Summary & Certificate Ceremony
SATURDAY AFTERNOON EXTENSION (Optional but Highly Recommended)
- Guided Access – Explore the elite start, media center, expo, and technical zones
- Meet the Marathon Team – Informal conversations with the people behind Poland’s largest race
- from 6 PM – Sightseeing in Warsaw with the partner Warsaw Convention Bureau
THE SPEAKERS
- Grzegorz Mazurek – Rector of Kozminski University
Professor Grzegorz Mazurek is the Rector of Kozminski University, one of Europe’s leading broad profile business schools, and a tenured professor specializing in digital transformation and marketing strategy. His academic and professional focus lies in the managerial impact of digital technologies, particularly within the fields of education and business.
On the international stage, he serves on the EQUIS Accreditation Board, the CEE Advisory Board of EFMD, and the Innovation Committee of the European University Association. He actively contributes to global accreditation processes (EQUIS, AACSB, BSIS) and advises several leading European academic institutions as a member of their International Advisory Boards.
Professor Mazurek has held research fellowships at IESE Business School and Tilburg University, and has lectured at top institutions in France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, South Korea, Peru, and Iceland. He has also provided consulting services to major companies including Nokia, IKEA, PZU, and Mars Corp.
Beyond academia, he is a passionate sports enthusiast — particularly of long-distance running, which he regards as both a form of discipline and a source of personal inspiration.
- Lorenzo Benfenati – Maratona di Roma (Italy)
Lorenzo Benfenati is a senior manager at Infront Italy and responsible for the Active LifeStyle and Summer Sports divisions. He is in charge of managing and developing projects.
Lorenzo is the Project Manager of the Run Rome The Marathon, an event he has led since the 2021edition. He developed the growth of the Hyrox format in Italy and collaborates with the Italian Golf Federation for the realisation of the Italian Open and with the Italian Cycling Federation. He also manages two more important projects such as the Final Eights and the Italian Basketball Supercup.
He has been at Infront since October 2019 and previously worked for eight years at RCS Sport, a company that organises, among others, the Milano Sanremo, UAE tour, Giro d’Italia and the Milano Marathon.
He was project manager of the Italian tour of The Color Run, a mass event thatrevolutionised the concept of running in the mid-2010s, as well as managing and developing the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche and the so-called Lombardia event.
Lorenzo loves sport. All sport! But he also enjoys music, having started out in Live Nation, in the production of major music tours of artists such as U2, Carlos Santana, Coldplay, Aerosmith and many others.
He has run and finished a marathon… but that was a long time and many kilograms ago.
- Sotiris Kyranakos – General Manager Athens Authentic Marathon (Greece)
Sotiris Kyranakos is a General Manager of Athens Authentic Marathon with PhD Candidate in Economics and Post Graduate Title in Financial & Regional Development at Panteion University – Fac. of Economy & Public Administration.
He was a Strategic Planning Manager of the Hellenic Olympic Winners (2020-24) and now is an Association Member of the Hellenic Economic Chamber, as well as a Speaker in International Conferences focusing on special forms of sports tourism, aiming to present sport activities as one of the main factors for the development of regional economies.
- Yoshi Groen – Bijlmer Run / Run4Art (Netherlands)
Yoshi Groen is a founder of Indie Runner and one of the organizers of the Bijlmer Run. With Indie Runner, he createsunique run trips that go beyond the race: each experience blends culture, community, and adventure.
From wild urban races to symbolic crossings through Europe, Yoshi Groen is always looking for stories that move people literally and emotionally.
In the Bijlmer, he helps shape a run that celebrates the heart and energy of one of Amsterdam’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Whether abroad or around the block, he believes running is a powerful way to connect people, places, and purpose.
- Marek Tronina – Warsaw Marathon
Marek Tronina is the director of the Warsaw Marathon and president of the „Warsaw Marathon” Foundation, which since 2002 has been responsible for organizing the largest running events in Poland – the Warsaw Marathon, the Warsaw Half Marathon, the Relay Marathon, and other initiatives, including the largest charity program, #BiegamDobrze.
He is a journalist by profession, with experience in the sports department of TVP and Polish Radio. As a TVP journalist, he commented on the Olympic Games in Atlanta and Athens.
Under his leadership, the Warsaw Marathon transformed from a failing local event into a successful organizational machine and an event of European significance.
In 2014, he was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit by the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, for his contributions to the development and popularization of sports and recreation.
- Fabien Rassek – Head of Sales, www.finishers.com (France)
REGISTRATION & PRICING
400€ + TAX / 2199 PLN
PARTNERS
CONTACT
If you have any questions contact us at: RDP@maratonwarszawski.com
