Sunday, September 29th, was a celebration of running! With thrilling sports excitement, thousands of finishers, tens of thousands of supporters, attractions for both children and adults, and a record-friendly course – this is how Warsaw marked the 100th anniversary of the Polish marathon.
For only the second time in Warsaw Marathon history, the winner successfully defended the title from the previous year. Levente Szemerei (2:10:43) not only improved his personal best but also surpassed the current Hungarian marathon record! Poles took second place on the podium in both the women’s and men’s competitions. In the TEAM UP! team competition, the Polish team claimed victory.
A new participation record was also set in the 10-kilometer accompanying race – the Nice To Fit You Warsaw 10K.
photos by Marcin Klimczak
Winners and a new Hungarian Record
The champion of the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon in the men’s individual category was Levente Szemerei, who completed the 42.195 km distance in 2:10:43. This is an unofficial Hungarian record and a new personal best for last year’s winner! For only the second time in Warsaw Marathon history, the title was successfully defended. Mateusz Kaczor finished second with a time of 02:11:15. In the women’s race, Olha Nyzhnik crossed the finish line first with a time of 02:31:24, followed by Izabela Paszkiewicz, who clocked in at 02:32:42.
46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon – Men’s General Classification (Net Times):
– Levente SZEMEREI (Hungary) – 02:10:43
– Mateusz KACZOR (Poland) – 02:11:15
– Mykola NYZHNYK (Ukraine) – 02:13:13
46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon – Women’s General Classification (Net Times):
– Olha NYZHNYK (Ukraine) – 02:31:24
– Izabela PASZKIEWICZ (Poland) – 02:32:42
– Marina NEMCHENKO (Ukraine) – 02:35:56
After a successful debut last year, the TEAM UP! Europe format returned to the race. In this team competition, the combined time of one male and one female runner counted, with Team Poland II (Mateusz Kaczor and Izabela Paszkiewicz) emerging victorious.
TEAM UP! Europe – Team Classification within the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon:
– POLAND II (Mateusz KACZOR, Izabela PASZKIEWICZ) – 04:43:57
– UKRAINE I (Mykola NYZHNYK, Olha NYZHNYK) – 04:44:37
– UKRAINE II (Vitaliy SHAFAR, Marina NEMCHENKO) – 04:51:52
This year’s Nice To Fit You Warsaw 10K, the accompanying event to the marathon, also drew great interest with 5,358 finishers! Raman Adamovich won the race, completing the 10 km distance in 00:30:30. Among the women, Nataliia Semenovych was the fastest, finishing in 00:34:01.
Nice To Fit You Warsaw 10K – Men’s General Classification (Net Times):
– Raman ADAMOVICH – 00:30:30
– Bogdan SEMENOVYCH – 00:30:48
– Emil DOBROWOLSKI – 00:31:45
– Michał MISIEWICZ – 00:31:48
– Łukasz OSKIERKO – 00:32:14
Nice To Fit You Warsaw 10K – Women’s General Classification (Net Times):
– Nataliia SEMENOVYCH – 00:34:01
– Emilia MAZEK – 00:34:35
– Monika KACZMAREK – 00:35:19
– Sylwia WALCZAK – 00:37:25
– Patrycja BIELECKA – 00:37:26
The full results for all participants can be found at: https://live.sts-timing.pl/mw2024/
A Special Course for a Special Anniversary
The theme of this year’s edition was the 100th anniversary of the Polish marathon. At the start, eight runners dressed in historical attire took participants and spectators back 100 years. It was exactly one hundred years ago, in 1924, that eight brave athletes attempted to conquer the marathon distance, with Stefan Szelestowski emerging as the winner of the first marathon in Poland.
This year’s race once again passed through the heart of the city. Runners started from the Palace of Culture and Science, crossed two bridges, and traversed seven districts, before returning to the Palace, where the finish line for the Marathon of the Century was located.
“The Warsaw Marathon has probably never had such a fast and remarkable course in its 46-year history,” said Marek Tronina, race director and president of the Warsaw Marathon Foundation. “So many motivated, smiling people at the start, all listening to *The Dream of Warsaw* together – it was a moving moment. The support of the city and sponsors, energetic spectators, active volunteers, and determined runners – the openness, enthusiasm, and commitment were evident throughout the course of the Great Race. I congratulate the participants and thank everyone who came to cheer and celebrate with us in the Marathon Fan Zone and cheering points along the route. This is exactly how I envisioned the Marathon of the Century. It’s a wonderful anniversary, and we couldn’t have imagined a better celebration,” he added.
“We are extremely pleased with the turnout for the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon. We’re delighted not only by the number of runners at the start but also by the presence and involvement of spectators—both the young and the adults—who supported participants along the route. This event is proof that sports and physical activity are an important part of life for Warsaw residents. The marathon promotes not just a healthy lifestyle but also unites the community around values such as perseverance, collaboration, and striving towards goals,” said Paulina Sygnatowicz, marketing and communications expert at Nationale-Nederlanden.
#IRunWell – Because Running for a Cause is Easier
Once again, participants in the marathon and accompanying races joined the largest charity running campaign in Poland, #IRunWell, aimed at raising funds for charitable organizations. Special orange bibs, signifying that runners were competing for a cause, were once again visible at the start. This year, over 800 runners took part in the “orange collection” across both distances, collectively raising more than 700,000 PLN! This amount may still increase as the fundraising continues. The foundations involved in #IRunWell had cheering points along the route and at the finish, where they could thank and support their running ambassadors.
Cheering Zones – The Heart and Soul of the Marathon
Spectators had the chance to become part of the Great Race through the Marathon Fan Zone located at the Palace of Culture and Science and over 30 cheering points along the route, offering attractions for the whole family. The Marathon Village opened its doors on Saturday, welcoming families and young runners who participated in the Nice To Fit You Mini Marathon. Not only in the Marathon Fan Zone but also at the cheering points, Warsaw residents enjoyed concerts, games, mini sporting events, relaxation zones, and free health screenings. It was a wonderful family weekend filled with various activities.
Thank You for Coming!
Everyone who decided to attend the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon experienced firsthand that this event is much more than just a race. Enthusiasts of urban events, regardless of age, could find something for themselves here, and perhaps some even felt the sporting spark and will join as runners next year.
A total of 7,086 people completed the marathon, and 5,358 finished the 10K. Congratulations to all!
