Only a few hours remain until the start of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon. On Saturday, 25 April, at 20:30, the starting signal will sound, and more than 10,000 runners will set off to compete for the best results and the titles of Polish Champion.
Poland’s elite runners and amateur participants will compete on the same course. The elite athletes are aiming not only for victory, but also for a new Polish record. Adam Nowicki, one of the fastest Polish half marathon athletes, spoke about this during the press conference.
The goal is to fight for the Polish championship title. I had a very strong start to the season. Then, unfortunately, I got injured, which makes it hard for me to think about a record run on Saturday, but the goal is still victory and the gold medal. The fans will definitely carry us to the finish line.
Adam Nowicki – Polish national team athlete, Olympian from Tokyo, multiple medal winner in the half marathon distance
It is already known that Krystian Zalewski, who still holds the Polish half marathon record, will not be among Adam Nowicki’s rivals. The athlete, who only a few months ago announced that he would compete in Gdynia for an even better result, said during the press conference that this time he would appear on the race course, but as a spectator.
Health let me down and I will not be able to start in Gdynia, but I will be there as a fan. I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone taking part. It is definitely worth saving some energy for the final part of the race, because it is very fast there and you can still gain a few seconds, and records are there to be broken.
Krystian Zalewski – Polish half marathon record holder, silver medallist at the European Championships in the 3000 metres steeplechase
A few weeks ago, Aleksandra Lisowska was also dealing with health problems. However, Ola confirmed that she has already returned to training and plans to compete in Gdynia for the championship title, although breaking the record may be difficult.
Objectively, this is not the fastest half marathon course in Poland. But Krystian Zalewski showed that when you are in great shape, records can be broken here. I feel positive and ready to fight. I wanted to come back here because I remember the great atmosphere of the Gdynia Half Marathon.
Aleksandra Lisowska – Polish national team athlete, 2022 European Marathon Champion
Every participant of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon who completes the race will receive a special medal at the finish line. It will be awarded both to elite athletes and to amateur runners who were lucky enough to secure race packages. According to Karolina Nadolska – Polish half marathon champion and ambassador of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon – the most important thing for participants in Saturday’s race is to find joy in taking part in this event.
I wish everyone, above all, a great time on the course and joy from running. The medal is wonderful, and I am sure that all runners will be delighted with it.
Karolina Nadolska – Polish half marathon champion and ambassador of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
Przemysław Dalecki, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Sport at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, also spoke about the value and unique character of the medal. In his view, events such as the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon help strengthen Pomerania’s tourism potential, and every participant in a sports event generates additional income for the region. However, the real advantage lies in features that other events do not have. In the case of the Gdynia race, that advantage is the spectacular medal.
I must admit that I made my decision to take part in the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon when I saw this wonderful medal. It was hard to resist, and for me, as a resident of Gdynia, the city’s 100th anniversary is certainly an extra motivation.
Przemysław Dalecki – Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Sport at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
The origin of the medal is linked to the city’s 100th anniversary. The organisers wanted it to refer to the most characteristic landmarks of the city. Its central element is a miniature of the Dar Pomorza, the sailing ship moored at the Gdynia waterfront. Tadeusz Szemiot, Chairman of the Gdynia City Council, has no doubt that organising the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon as an event included on the list of official celebrations marking the city’s centenary is an excellent idea.
Gdynia is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon, held as the Polish Championships, is one of the sporting events meant to mark this jubilee. Gdynia is a unique city, built on dreams and ambition. At the same time, it is a perfect venue for organising major sports events.
Tadeusz Szemiot – Chairman of the Gdynia City Council
Mariusz Bzdęga, Managing Director for Culture and Resident Activity, echoed Chairman Szemiot’s opinion. During the press conference, Director Bzdęga stressed that sport is part of the city’s DNA. Strong teams competing in the top divisions confirm this. Now, this is being joined by mass participation sport, which is developing more and more strongly.
It can probably be said that Gdynia is the running leader in our region. Our events, including the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon, are becoming more and more popular, and this also leads to growing support for local business and the HoReCa sector. Let it continue this way!
Mariusz Bzdęga – Managing Director for Culture and Resident Activity of Gdynia
Indeed, attendance at running events organised in Gdynia has been increasing year by year. It is enough to mention that the number of people who will take part in the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon has doubled within just one year.
Mass running in Poland is experiencing a huge boom, but even so, this year-on-year growth in attendance in Gdynia is spectacular. In the year of its 100th anniversary, Gdynia is joining the absolute top tier of running events in the country.
Michał Drelich – Director of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
This would not be possible without the commitment of the event’s partners. The most loyal of them is PKO Bank Polski, the title sponsor of the event. The bank not only provides financial support for the organisation of the race, but also actively promotes physical activity among Poles.
The beauty of mass running lies in the fact that it promotes physical activity among entire families. Several hundred children will line up at the start in Gdynia, and nearly 13,000 people will take part in the whole event. As PKO Bank Polski, we support 50 running events across Poland throughout the year. Thanks to this, we reach and help build a huge community of active people all over the country.
Sebastian Czecholiński – Sales Director at PKO Bank Polski
The PKO Gdynia Half Marathon will start on Saturday, 25 April at 20:30. Earlier, at 17:00, runners competing in the PKO Gdynia 5K will appear on the streets of the city. At 12:00, the children’s competition in the Gdynia Kids Run will begin.
All details can be found on the event website: https://gdyniapolmaraton.pl/
The title sponsor of the event is PKO BP Bank, and its strategic partners are the City of Gdynia and the Self-Government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Sponsors: dr Witt, Sportano.pl. Partners: Lubella, Suunto, Browar Cieszyn, Cisowianka, Grupa Walder.
