The running festival returns to Gdańsk
M
arathon is a real celebration for runners. Completing the royal distance of 42,195 m is the dream of many amateur runners. After a two-year break, the race over this distance took place again in Gdańsk in 2025. The city of Gdańsk has a unique place in history. It was here that World War II began on September 1, 1939, and it was here that the first independent, self-governing trade unions in Poland were established. Finally, it was in Gdańsk that social changes began, which gave impetus to other societies in Europe, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the restoration of independence to the Baltic republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. That is why the seventh edition of the Gdańsk marathon was held under the slogan “Run in the city of freedom!” The next opportunity to participate in the race will be in April 2026.
.
Relay, power of your team!
I
f you don’t feel up to running a marathon on your own, a marathon relay is the perfect solution for you! Invite three people to your relay, create a team that will run 42,195 meters together and will be happy with the result at the finish line. Who you invite to your relay is your decision! It can be a friend, colleague, family member or work colleague. It is important that you have fun and run the route together. Each member of the relay works for the result of the whole team and contributes to the team’s success.
.
How is the marathon relay organized?
T
he marathon relay consists of 4 people, each of whom completes one leg (part of the route). To participate in the relay, you must be at least 16 years old on April 18, 2026. The participant of the first leg receives a relay baton with a chip, which they pass on to the next participants at the relay changeover points. Participants running in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th legs of the relay are transported by special buses provided by the organizer to the relay changeover points, where they wait for the member of their relay team from the previous leg to finish. The baton is handed over in the relay change zone, and after receiving the baton, the participant sets off on their leg of the race.
After reaching the change zone and handing over the baton, the relay participant takes a bus provided by the organizer to the finish line, where they wait for their relay team.
The relay team may cross the finish line together, provided that all participants manage to reach the finish line by the organizer’s buses. The organizer does not guarantee that all participants will be transported to the finish line on time.
At the finish line, each relay team will receive 4 medals, which are handed out when the relay baton is returned.
Relay classifications
E
ach relay can be classified in only one category. During registration, participants choose the category in which their relay should be classified. The following categories are available:
- Women’s relay – consisting of 4 women
- Men’s relay – consisting of 4 men
- Mixed relay – in which at least one person is of a different sex than the others
- Company relay – for relays registered by companies (any composition)