For the first time in history, Gdynia will host the official Polish Half Marathon Championships, with additional age group categories. The event is scheduled for April 25 next year and will be part of the city’s 100th anniversary sports celebrations.
The Gdynia Half Marathon has already become part of the city’s landscape. This time, however, it has gained the sporting status of the 35th Polish Half Marathon Championships under the Polish Athletics Association. Medals will be awarded in as many as 6 age categories:
- women and men aged 20–29
- women and men aged 30–39
- women and men aged 40–49
- women and men aged 50–59
- women and men aged 60–69
- women and men aged 70 and above
Every participant who wishes to be ranked in the championships will need to give consent during registration to be classified within the competition.
Free registration will be a gateway to securing a double place in the history of Polish running – on one hand, the chance to win the national championship title, and on the other, inclusion in the official statistics maintained by the Polish Athletics Association. The procedure will be completely free and voluntary, but it will also come with benefits that were not available before.
We have been following running events in Gdynia for years and we are glad that next year they will reach the rank of national championships. I am convinced that the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon, held as the Polish Championships, is yet another great reason to line up at the start of this special event. Its setting creates a unique atmosphere, and running with a view of the Gdańsk Bay is a dream come true for many runners.
Marek Plawgo – Vice President of the Polish Athletics Association
See what the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon 2025 looked like:
The organizers aim to bring 10,000 runners to the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon. This would be an absolute record for the event, and it is not impossible to achieve. During the pre-registration phase, which was limited only to previous participants of the Gdynia race, more than 1,300 people signed up in just a couple of weeks.
Runners know our event very well and are aware of what the Gdynia Half Marathon has to offer. The fact that next year’s edition will give them the chance to compete for the title of Polish Champion is an exciting addition that will not only make the start list longer, but may also bring in some well-known names.
Michał Drelich – Director of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
It is already confirmed that Krystian Zalewski – one of the best Polish long-distance runners of recent years, multiple national champion, and silver medalist at the European Championships in the 3000m steeplechase – will be on the start line. The participation of Karolina Nadolska – a two-time Olympian and Polish record holder in both the half marathon and the 10 km – remains uncertain. Although Karolina has officially ended her professional career, during today’s press conference she suggested that her appearance at the start is not completely ruled out.
Karolina and Krystian have become ambassadors of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon – the 35th Polish Half Marathon Championships. They will each lead a team that will compete against each other on the course. Every participant registering for the race will be able to choose which team they want to join, as well as make a voluntary donation that will later go to the foundation indicated by Karolina or Krystian. The winning team will be decided based on the average net time calculated from the results of all its members.
This is a sports competition, so of course the element of rivalry matters here. When I ended my career, I decided I would no longer take part in races and I want to stay consistent with that, but for this event… maybe I will make an exception. Still, I think the most important goal here is helping children. I will of course support the members of Team Karolina and gladly share my knowledge about preparing for the race. And if anyone is unsure which team to join, they should just look at my sporting achievements. I’m joking, of course…
Karolina Nadolska – Ambassador of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon 2026, Team Karolina
As an athlete, I hope that my return to the Gdynia Half Marathon course will bring a strong performance and the title of Polish Champion. I enjoy competing here and I know I am capable of a good result. As an ambassador of the event, I believe we will be able to raise funds to support young athletes cared for by the “Play Smart” foundation. That will be the greatest victory for Team Krystian and for the whole event.
Krystian Zalewski – Ambassador of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon 2026, Team Krystian
The PKO Gdynia Half Marathon 2026 also has a non-sporting dimension. The race is part of the celebrations of Gdynia’s 100th anniversary. Today, during a press conference, city representatives officially included the event in the calendar of the city’s birthday festivities.
Sport plays a very important role in our city. We support the development of young people and encourage residents to stay active in many ways. We are therefore very pleased that the 35th Polish Half Marathon Championships will take place in Gdynia, as it is a wonderful opportunity to promote the sporting spirit of our city.
Mariusz Bzdęga – Managing Director for Culture and Resident Activities at the Gdynia City Hall
The organizers hope that 10,000 runners will take part in the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon. Local authorities, on the other hand, believe that such a large number of participants coming to the seaside with their families and friends will mean not only unforgettable moments on the course, but also benefits for restaurant owners, hoteliers, and taxi drivers.
Large mass sports events, especially those for amateur runners, are a chance for the city and local businesses to show their best side, because after such events athletes and fans return home and share their stories about the place where they competed. But for us, supporting sport for children and young people is just as important. Organizing many sporting events in Gdynia is meant to inspire the youngest to stay active. The half marathon course in Gdynia is also a kind of history lesson and a showcase of the city’s qualities, which has often been ranked as the best place to live in Poland.
Tadeusz Szemiot – Chairman of the Gdynia City Council
Pomerania is not only the Baltic Sea. It is also the picturesque landscapes of Kashubia, which we showcase during various sporting events in our region. It also offers a wide range of tourist attractions with cycling routes, comfortable facilities, and high-quality services.
Przemysław Dalecki – Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Sport at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
Michał Drelich, Director of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon, revealed during the press conference that the organizers decided to return to the old course of the Gdynia Half Marathon, with the finish line at the City Beach. He assured that the race and finish line setting will be spectacular. The half marathon will take place after dark. Earlier that same day, runners in the 5 km distance and children will compete.
