RaceScout
Browse RacesMy RacesBlogTake the quiz
Sun, Sep 27 · 2026WarsawSince 1979

Warsaw Marathon

Warsaw's marathon runs a mostly flat loop through the city center, finishing on the same street where it started. It's a straightforward, well-organized race that rewards patient running and honest preparation.

FlatOpen
WARSAW · PL
Warsaw
SUN, SEP 27
2026
UNLOCK YOUR FIT SCORE

How does Warsaw stack up for you?

Answer 6 questions, and we’ll score this race honestly and compare it against every other marathon in our directory.

Take the 2-min quiz

Race Overview

EST. 1979

Warsaw runs a flat loop through the city center, starting and finishing on Świętokrzyska Street near the Palace of Culture and Science. The course doesn't throw anything dramatic at you. No big climbs, no long descents, just consistent pavement through the streets of a busy European capital. The crowds are solid through the central sections, and the city keeps things well-organized from the gun to the finish line. The one moment worth mentioning is coming back into the finish area after 26 miles of flat city running and seeing that giant palace tower again. It orients you, and it means you're nearly done.

This is a genuinely PR-friendly course if the day cooperates. The elevation is as close to a non-factor as you'll find. Be patient in the first half, because the loop structure means you'll feel like you know the course before you actually do. Entry is open registration, which makes it one of the more accessible marathons in Europe at this scale. Sign up well ahead if you want options, though spots stay available surprisingly late. If you're chasing a Boston qualifier and want a low-drama course to do it on, Warsaw is a smart choice.

Field size
~9.5k
9,527 finishers
BQ rate
—
Boston qualifier
Time limit
6:30
Standard cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:08:17
John Kibet
2011
Women
2:28:35
Demissie Ayantu
2022

The Course

90 ft total gain
Total ascent
↑90 ft
Total descent
—
Net elevation
—
Highest point
—
Lowest point
—
Course shape
Loop
Start and finish in one place

With only around 90 feet of total elevation gain on a loop course, Warsaw runs close to flat. The route through the city center offers few surprises grade-wise, so you can lock into goal pace early and hold it. The loop layout means conditions repeat themselves, which helps pacing discipline but removes any net-downhill benefit. Watch for road camber and surface changes through tighter city stretches, and be aware that late-September urban conditions can bring wind exposure on wider boulevards. This is a course that rewards even effort rather than banking time early.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
49°F
High
69°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

Late September in Warsaw can feel different at the gun versus the final miles. You'll likely start in the low-to-mid 40s, cool enough to want a throwaway layer in the corral. By the time you're deep into the race, temperatures can climb into the upper 60s. That's not brutal, but it's warm enough to matter if you go out too fast. Plan your layers accordingly and don't let the cool start trick you into ignoring hydration early.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration available online or in-person at race office (limited to 200 bibs after September 25). Charity registration via #IRUNWELL fundraising available until August 16, 2026.

Register on race site

Frequently Asked

7 questions
Compare your options

Related races

Browse all races
Sun, Sep 20 — 2026DESTINATION
Buenos Aires
Sun, Sep 20 · 2026
Buenos Aires Marathon
Flat Buenos Aires
Sun, Sep 27 — 2026DESTINATION
Loch Ness
Sun, Sep 27 · 2026
Loch Ness Marathon
Rolling Inverness
Sat, Sep 12 — 2026DESTINATION
Oslo
Sat, Sep 12 · 2026
Oslo Marathon
Rolling Oslo
Sun, Oct 18 — 2026DESTINATION
Amsterdam
Sun, Oct 18 · 2026
Amsterdam Marathon
Flat Amsterdam
Sun, Oct 11 — 2026DESTINATION
Budapest
Sun, Oct 11 · 2026
Budapest Marathon
Flat Budapest
Sun, Oct 11 — 2026DESTINATION
Chester
Sun, Oct 11 · 2026
Chester Marathon
Flat Chester