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Warsaw Marathon 2027: Race Guide, Course And How To Enter
The Warsaw Marathon returns to the Polish capital on Sunday 26 September 2027 for its 49th edition, continuing a remarkable history stretching back to 1979.
One of Europe's longest running annual marathons, Warsaw combines a fast, predominantly flat course with a journey through both the historic and modern sides of the city. The established route crosses the Vistula River and takes runners past landmarks including the National Stadium and Royal Route before returning to the centre of Warsaw.
The Destination
Warsaw is a fascinating destination for a marathon weekend. Poland's capital combines reconstructed historic districts with modern architecture, large parks and an increasingly distinctive skyline, giving visitors plenty to explore around race day.
The Old Town is an obvious starting point. Much of the historic centre was destroyed during the Second World War and subsequently reconstructed, while the Royal Route connects several of the city's best known buildings and public spaces. The Palace of Culture and Science provides a very different side of Warsaw and remains one of the most recognisable buildings on the skyline.
The Vistula River divides the city and has also become an important feature of the marathon. The established course crosses between the two sides of Warsaw, helping the race feel like a genuine journey through the Polish capital rather than simply a loop around the city centre.
History Of The Warsaw Marathon
The first edition took place on 30 September 1979 under the name Peace Marathon. More than 2,000 runners started the inaugural event at a time when large recreational road races were still relatively unusual in this part of Europe.
What followed is one of the more remarkable histories in European marathon running. The event has taken place every year since 1979, surviving enormous political and social changes in Poland as well as the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Even Covid did not end the sequence. The 2020 Warsaw Marathon was reorganised under strict restrictions, with runners divided into small groups and the event spread across 36 hours. This allowed Warsaw to preserve an uninterrupted history that very few major marathons can match.
The race has grown substantially since its early editions and the 2027 event will be the 49th Warsaw Marathon. It is also part of the European Marathon Classics, connecting Warsaw with a collection of established marathon destinations across Europe.
When Is The Warsaw Marathon 2027?
The 49th Warsaw Marathon takes place on Sunday 26 September 2027. The race starts at 9am and covers the full 42.195km marathon distance on a course certified by the Polish Athletic Association and World Athletics.
Runners have a time limit of six hours and 30 minutes, measured from the starting gun. Intermediate time limits also apply around the course, so runners expecting to use most of the available time should check these carefully before race day.
Warsaw Marathon Expo And Race Bib Collection
Every participant must complete race verification before running unless using an eligible race package delivery option. The location and opening hours of the 2027 Race Office have not yet been announced and will be confirmed closer to the event.
Runners collecting their own package will need the QR code provided by the organiser and photo identification. Another person can collect on a runner's behalf using the participant's QR code and a copy or photograph of their identification.
International runners should therefore allow enough time in Warsaw before race day to complete collection once the final Race Office schedule is published. The marathon weekend has also included a running expo in recent editions, although the detailed 2027 programme has not yet been announced.
Race Morning
The 2027 race starts at 9am, with runners allocated to starting zones according to the predicted finishing time supplied during registration. This helps separate runners by pace and should allow the field to spread more effectively after the start.
The precise 2027 start and finish locations will be confirmed when the final course is published. Recent editions have centred the event around the heart of Warsaw, with the Palace of Culture and Science providing a major landmark around the race village.
With up to 15,000 runners expected, allow plenty of time to reach the start, use the baggage facilities and enter the correct starting zone. Extensive road closures are likely on race morning, making public transport the most practical option for many runners.
Warsaw Marathon Course
The final course for the 2027 Warsaw Marathon has not yet been published. The established Warsaw route provides a strong indication of the type of marathon runners can expect.
The 2026 course had just 83 metres of total elevation gain. It travelled through central Warsaw, crossed the Vistula and explored districts on both sides of the river before returning to the heart of the city.
Until the organiser publishes the 2027 map, the following description is based on the established course and should not be taken as confirmation that every street will remain unchanged.
Central Warsaw
Recent editions have started in the heart of Warsaw, immediately surrounding runners with some of the capital's most recognisable architecture. The opening kilometres provide an opportunity to settle into marathon pace before the course begins its wider journey around the city. The relatively flat roads can make the opening feel comfortable, particularly after the excitement of the start. It is worth resisting the temptation to run significantly faster than planned because Warsaw offers plenty of opportunity to use the fast course later.
Poniatowski Bridge And The Vistula
One of the defining features of the established route is the crossing of Poniatowski Bridge. The bridge carries runners across the Vistula and provides broad views towards the Warsaw skyline. This section also begins the transition from the central districts towards the eastern side of Warsaw. The change in surroundings is part of what gives the marathon its character, with the race covering considerably more of the capital than its historic centre.
National Stadium And Praga
After crossing the river, runners pass PGE Narodowy, Poland's National Stadium. Its distinctive roof makes it one of the easiest landmarks to recognise along the route.
The course continues through the Praga side of Warsaw before beginning its journey towards another crossing of the Vistula. These middle kilometres provide long runnable stretches where runners chasing a particular time can concentrate on maintaining an economical rhythm.
Gdański Bridge And Northern Warsaw
The established route crosses the Vistula again using Gdański Bridge before continuing into the northern districts. The biggest climb on the 2026 course arrived at around 16km and lasted approximately 500 metres. Even this climb was relatively modest by marathon standards. Once it was completed, the remaining elevation changes were generally gentle, allowing runners to return quickly to their target rhythm.
Bielany And Żoliborz
The northern section takes runners through Bielany and Żoliborz, showing a more residential side of Warsaw away from the obvious tourist landmarks. This can be an important psychological stage of the race as the excitement of the opening kilometres begins to give way to the more disciplined middle section of the marathon.
Wola And Bemowo
It's then into Wola and Bemowo as the course makes its way around the western side of Warsaw. These districts add another change of character to a course that covers a surprisingly broad section of the city. By this stage the marathon is beginning to move towards its decisive final section. Runners who have controlled their effort through the first 30km can begin thinking about maintaining or gradually increasing their pace rather than simply conserving energy for a major late climb.
The Royal Route
The later kilometres bring runners back towards central Warsaw and some of the most memorable streets on the course. Krakowskie Przedmieście forms part of the historic Royal Route and takes runners past landmarks including the Presidential Palace. After many kilometres exploring the wider city, returning to the historic centre provides a noticeable lift. Spectator support also becomes increasingly valuable as tired runners approach the final stages of the marathon.
Nowy Świat And The Finish
The established course continues through central Warsaw, including Nowy Świat, before approaching the finishing section. The combination of historic streets and the modern city centre creates an impressive setting for the closing kilometres. There are still a few gentle changes in elevation to negotiate. On the 2026 course there was a small rise around 38km followed by another gradual climb between 40km and 41km, but neither was particularly severe. The final kilometre flattened out again for the run towards the finish.
How Difficult Is The Warsaw Marathon Course?
Warsaw is one of the more approachable European city marathon courses. Flat though does not mean effortless. The gentle rises that do exist can still become noticeable during the final kilometres, particularly when tired legs magnify even relatively small changes in gradient.
Weather is another variable. Late September can provide excellent conditions for marathon running, but runners should still be prepared for warmer, cooler or wetter weather and adjust their expectations accordingly.
For most runners, pacing is likely to present a greater challenge than the terrain. A controlled opening half and enough energy remaining for the final 10km should be more important than worrying about individual climbs.
What Makes The Warsaw Marathon Special?
History is a major part of the appeal. Few European marathons can point to an uninterrupted annual record stretching back to 1979, particularly given the enormous changes experienced by Warsaw and Poland during that period.
The course also provides an unusually broad look at the city. Rather than concentrating entirely on the Old Town and tourist centre, runners cross the Vistula and explore several contrasting districts before returning to Warsaw's historic heart.
Warsaw also offers the atmosphere of a significant international marathon without reaching the enormous field sizes of races such as London, Berlin or Paris. For runners who enjoy major city events but prefer a little more space on the road, that balance could be particularly appealing.
Is The Warsaw Marathon A Fast Course?
Warsaw has genuine potential for fast marathon running. The established route allows runners to settle into a consistent rhythm for long periods rather than repeatedly adjusting their pace for major climbs and descents. That makes Warsaw particularly interesting for runners looking for an autumn marathon where the course itself is unlikely to be the biggest obstacle.
Personal best potential will ultimately depend on weather, pacing and the exact 2027 route. If the established character of the course is retained, however, Warsaw should remain an attractive option for runners targeting a fast marathon.
Is The Warsaw Marathon Good For First Time Marathon Runners?
Warsaw can be an excellent choice for a first marathon. The predominantly flat character of the established route removes one of the additional challenges faced at hillier events, while the generous time limit makes the race accessible to a broad range of runners.
The event is large enough to provide the atmosphere and support expected from an international city marathon without the enormous fields found at some of Europe's biggest races. Warsaw itself also works well for runners who want to combine their first marathon with a city break.
First time marathon runners should still respect the distance. A fast course can encourage an ambitious start because marathon pace feels comfortable during the opening kilometres. Staying controlled early and preserving energy for the final 10km remains far more important than taking advantage of every quick section.
How To Enter The Warsaw Marathon 2027
Registration for the 49th Warsaw Marathon opened on 28 September 2026. There is no ballot for standard places, with runners able to register directly while places remain available.
There are 14,000 places through the standard registration route and a further 1,000 through the #BiegamDobrze charity programme. This gives the 2027 event an overall capacity of 15,000 runners across the two entry routes.
Entry fees increase as the event approaches, so registering earlier can reduce the cost as well as securing a place. Runners should check the current fee and full entry conditions before completing their registration.
Once an entry has been paid for, the standard rules generally do not allow refunds or transferring the entry to another event. Anyone unable to run should check the latest organiser rules rather than giving their bib to another runner.
Running The Warsaw Marathon For Charity
The Warsaw Marathon has an established charity entry system through #BiegamDobrze, which translates approximately as "I Run Well". For 2027, 1,000 places have been reserved specifically for runners raising money for charity.
Participants select a participating charity and create an individual fundraising page. The 2027 regulations require runners to raise at least PLN 50 within 14 days of registering to keep their fundraising campaign active and then reach PLN 600 by 16 August 2027 to receive their marathon bib.
Once the required fundraising threshold has been reached, the supported organisation covers the runner's entry fee. The fundraising can then continue beyond the point at which the bib has been secured, allowing participants to raise considerably more for their chosen cause.
The programme provides a genuine alternative way into the marathon rather than simply adding fundraising to a standard entry. With only 1,000 charity places available for 2027, runners interested in this route should not assume places will remain available indefinitely.
Where To Stay
Warsaw has a wide choice of accommodation and an extensive public transport network, so runners do not necessarily need to stay immediately beside the start. Until the final 2027 start, finish and Race Office locations are confirmed, central Warsaw provides the safest choice for convenient access to both the marathon and the city's main attractions.
Śródmieście is particularly convenient for first time visitors. Staying around the city centre puts you close to Metro connections, restaurants and landmarks including the Palace of Culture and Science, while the Old Town and Royal Route remain within easy reach.
The areas around Nowy Świat and the Royal Route provide a more historic atmosphere while remaining central. Accommodation close to a Metro station can also work well if you prefer to stay slightly farther from the busiest tourist areas.
With up to 15,000 marathon runners taking part alongside supporters and other visitors, booking accommodation well ahead of race weekend is sensible if you want a particular location or hotel.
Our Verdict
The Warsaw Marathon deserves considerably more international attention than it receives. It combines an extraordinary uninterrupted history with a fast course, an interesting European capital and a field large enough to create a genuine city marathon atmosphere.
The predominantly flat established route should appeal to runners chasing a personal best, while direct registration also makes Warsaw an interesting option for runners choosing their first marathon. Crossing the Vistula and running through several contrasting districts gives the course more character than its fast profile might suggest.
Race Website
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