Among the 10,000 people who will start in the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon on 25 April, one third are women. In the accompanying 5 km race held on the same day, women already make up 60 percent of the start list. The organizers will also prepare a special zone only for women.
This year’s PKO Gdynia Half Marathon will be truly special. Held as the 35th Polish Half Marathon Championships organized by the Polish Athletic Association, the race will also be part of the city’s 100th anniversary celebrations. The unique finisher medal and the special race route and finish area will stay in the memory of everyone who runs in Gdynia on 25 April.
Women in the lead
Before the main 21.097 km race begins, participants of the PKO Gdynia 5K will take to the start line. As it turns out, the 5 km race will be led by women. Of the 1,160 people currently registered, as many as 670 are women. That is almost 60 percent. Registration is still open, but it is already clear that this year the Gdynia 5K will belong to women.
This is the result of several factors. First, running as a form of physical activity for everyone is reaching record popularity in Poland. Taking part in mass running events has become a trend. What is more, this trend is largely driven by young people and especially by women. This can be seen most clearly in shorter and more accessible distances, such as the popular 5K. Women more often than men look for not only competition in sport, but also unforgettable experiences and memories. And this is exactly what we offer in Gdynia, thanks to the unique race route setting and the spectacular finish line on the beach. Finally, it is also the result of our efforts to show that we care about the comfort of women runners.
Maciej Stroiński, Press Spokesperson for the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
Women’s Zone
A special zone for women will once again be created in the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon race village. It will include everything needed to help women feel comfortable before, during and after the race. There will be changing rooms with mirrors, and personal hygiene products will be available at specially marked points. There will also be toilets reserved only for women. All of this is meant to reduce any possible discomfort connected with taking part in a large-scale event, with thousands of runners gathering at the start line. The women’s zone will also include a space for breastfeeding mothers, and diapers and a changing table will be available on site. Women, including young mothers, should feel comfortable and safe there.
A Relaxed Run
The organizers of the running weekend in Gdynia say that this year the 5K will have an almost recreational feel. Of course, anyone who wants to chase a personal best will still be able to do so. The race route will be officially certified by the Polish Athletic Association, and professional timekeeping will be provided. At the same time, for many people, taking part in this event will be a great way to spend an active afternoon. That is why starting with children in strollers is allowed. Participants can also run with their dog if they want. The dog must be kept on a leash.
We are closely watching trends among participants in running events. The strong presence of women on the PKO Gdynia 5K start list is a clear sign that what we have seen around the world is now also starting to happen in Poland. We hope that our efforts to remove barriers that have so far discouraged some women from taking part in races are also helping. I believe that year by year, the share of women in the half marathon will move closer to that symbolic 50 percent.
Michał Drelich, Director of the PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
On the start list for this year’s PKO Gdynia Half Marathon, men still make up two thirds of all participants. That does not change the fact that more than 3,300 women will take part in the race, which is more than twice as many as last year.
