Race Director
Programme
Across Europe, races are reaching the registration limits set by organizers, and running culture is flourishing—yet many well-known events still struggle to break through into runners’ awareness.
The “Warsaw Marathon Foundation,” in collaboration with Kozminski University and with the support of the Warsaw Convention Bureau, is organizing an event that will bring together 20 race organizers from across Europe. During this unique event, we will share effective strategies, study cases of successful transformations, and together uncover the behind-the-scenes of one of the fastest-growing races on the continent—the Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon.
From strategic concepts and experience sharing to behind-the-scenes visits and networking opportunities—the program offers the tools and inspiration you need to reimagine your race and spark real change.
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
Warsaw Marathon Director
Why you can’t miss this event
Real-World Strategies
Learn how once-local races became internationally relevant.
Tactical Workshops
Gain actionable insights in marketing, operations, and strategic growth.
Powerful Networking
Exchange ideas with 20 selected European race leaders in a focused, working-group format.
Peer-Driven Learning
Join interactive sessions created by race organizers, for race organizers.
Behind-the-Scenes Access
Explore the full machinery of the 47th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon.
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 – Strategy, trends & transformation
14:30 – 15:00
Registration & welcome coffee
15:00 – 15:15
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. – 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: Visit the start/finish area of the 47th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon
Saturday, 27 september 2025 – Practical tools & actionable Insights
08:30 – 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: 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
- Pierogi Party – an outdoor culinary feast.
- 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.
Additional attractions
- Participation in the 47th NN Warsaw Marathon or the Nice To Fit You 10K race.
- Access to VIP zones and the elite runners’ backstage area.
- Pierogi Party at Plac Defilad.
- Unique tour of the operational zones of one of the fastest-growing running events in Europe.
Key information
- Number of spots limited to 20 participants (first-come, first-served basis).
- Lectures and workshops: Friday, September 26, from 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday, September 27, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
- Participation fee: €400 + VAT.
- Official event language: English (subgroup work in native languages where possible).
- Travel and accommodation costs are not included in the fee – we are happy to provide advice.
Meet 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 (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 Director
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.
