Watch the video presenting the route of the 46th Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon and read the analysis from the Race Director. Enjoy the screening and reading – see you on September 29th!
Ahead of us are over 42 kilometers through the streets of Warsaw. A centrally located, very fast course, plus the centenary celebration of the Polish marathon – what more could you ask for? Maybe just a handful of information on where your legs will take you on September 29th? Let’s get started!
We begin on Świętokrzyska Street, which has been delighting with its new, green look for several years. To the right, the Palace of Culture and Science – and we’re off! A quick turn onto Marszałkowska, then Romana Dmowskiego Roundabout, and we begin a long, mostly gentle descent towards Grochów. We pass the palm at de Gaulle Roundabout, the National Museum, Poniatowski Bridge, and the PGE National Stadium. After Washington Roundabout, we head onto the avenue named after the first president of the United States. Around the 6th kilometer, we find ourselves at the lowest point of the route.
We cut through the narrow Modrzewiowa Street to Grochowska Street, running for another two and a half kilometers along the main artery of the Praga Południe district. After passing the Powszechny Theatre, we turn left, heading under the railway overpass, finding ourselves in Praga Północ. Here begins a several-kilometer stretch around the PGE National Stadium. It’s still flat, and only when we reach Washington Roundabout again around the 12th kilometer do we face a short climb, which quickly turns into a pleasant descent onto Szczecińskie Waterfront. Ahead of us is a long, scenic section along the Vistula River – all the way to Gdański Bridge.
The toughest part is kilometer 17. Here, a 300-meter climb to the bridge awaits, but the reward for this short effort is a magical view of the Old and New Town seen from the Vistula River. The slightly uphill Słomińskiego Street leads us to the Westfield Arkadia shopping center, which we bypass using the access roads. Watch out for the turn! Once we cross to the other side of Jana Pawła II Avenue, we’ll be in the Powązki district in Warsaw’s Wola. Running alongside Poland’s most famous cemetery, we turn onto Tatarska Street, where we hit the halfway point of the marathon. Then, Jana Odrowąża, Wawrzyszewska, and Obozowa Streets, and we arrive in Koło.
Unlike last year, we won’t run straight to Fort Radiowo but instead turn onto Księcia Janusza Street, arriving in one of Warsaw’s most populous districts – Bemowo. And where there’s Bemowo, there must be Powstańców Śląskich Street, which we reach at the 27th kilometer. On the left – the airport. It’s still flat, and ahead is the well-known Chomiczówka and Joseph Conrad Street.
At exactly the 30th kilometer, we find ourselves in a place we passed last year – on Tomasza Nocznickiego Street. Bielany! That’s the sixth district of the day.
Two kilometers later, after a short climb followed by a descent onto Gen. Maria Wittek Avenue, we enter Marymoncka Street. Now it’s almost a straight path to Wilson Square, passing the Cemetery of Italian Soldiers, the Academy of Physical Education, the Fire Academy, and the pleasing architecture of Juliusza Słowackiego Street.
We’re in Żoliborz. Just past Wilson Square, we are greeted by the second great poet – Adam Mickiewicz, who delights with a unique tree-lined avenue and the prospect of reaching downtown after the moderately challenging overpass near Gdańsk Station. Near the Polonia Stadium, we begin the final climb towards the finish. “Climb” might be too strong of a word, but there is a slight uphill. Magical Krasińskich Square – kilometer 40. Almost there. Miodowa, Senatorska, Moliera, Piłsudski Square with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Królewska, and a left turn just before the Zachęta gallery. When we turn right at the end of Mazowiecka Street, the sight we’ve been waiting for since the start will greet us – the finish line!
The last 600 meters is a straight, wide stretch, at the end of which the long-awaited reward awaits – unforgettable memories of completing the Marathon of the Century.
Good luck!
