A Historic Day for Polish Running: Record-Breaking Turnout and Outstanding Performances at the 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon
Spring arrived in spectacular way in the Polish capital, bringing with it a flurry of records and unforgettable moments. The 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon officially became the largest half marathon in Polish history, with a record-breaking 14,720 participants at the starting line. The accompanying New Balance High Five also drew an unprecedented crowd, and both races delivered top-tier performances from the winners. With tens of thousands of enthusiastic Warsaw residents cheering on every kilometer, March 30, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark date in Polish running history.
World-Class Racing and Historic Performances in Warsaw
This year’s edition of the Warsaw Half Marathon was awarded the World Athletics Elite Label for the first time, attracting a strong international field and delivering a high level of competition.
The men’s race was won by Soufian Bouquantar of Morocco, who crossed the finish line in 1:02:24. Just four seconds behind him was fellow Moroccan Mohamed El Ghazouany (1:02:28), while Kenya’s Edwin Cheruiyot Soi secured third place with a time of 1:02:32. The top Polish runner, Adam Nowicki, finished just off the podium in fourth place, matching his personal best of 1:02:51. The battle for victory was fierce — by the 15-kilometer mark, a lead group of four had broken away from the pack, ultimately deciding the podium among themselves.
“Conditions were great out there today – the course was fast, and the weather couldn’t have been better. I didn’t feel quite as strong as I have in my recent races, but this was an important opportunity to test myself ahead of the European Championships in two weeks. Breaking the Polish record is definitely on my mind, but I know a lot of things have to come together for that to happen” said Adam Nowicki, the top Polish finisher at the 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon.
“The crowd support was amazing – you could really feel the energy from the sidelines, and it gave me a big boost. I first ran this race ten years ago, and coming back now as a more experienced athlete, it’s incredibly satisfying to still be chasing my goals at this level” he added.
In the women’s race, Argentina’s Daiana Ocampo led from the front and never looked back, finishing first with an impressive time of 1:10:48. She set a fast early pace that proved unreachable for the rest of the field. Viktoriia Kaliuzhna of Ukraine took second place in 1:12:13, followed closely by Kenya’s Sylvia Mboga Medugu in third with a time of 1:12:20. The fastest Polish woman was Sabina Jarząbek, who claimed fourth place in 1:12:47.
116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon – Top 6 Men (gross time):
- Soufian BOUQUANTAR (Morocco) – 1:02:24
- Mohamed EL GHAZOUANY (Morocco) – 1:02:28
- Edwin CHERUIYOT SOI (Kenya) – 1:02:32
- Adam NOWICKI (Poland) – 1:02:51
- Chakib LACHGAR (Spain) – 1:04:36
- Abdennasser OUKHELFEN (Spain) – 1:05:11
116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon – Top 6 Women (gross time):
- Daiana OCAMPO (Argentina) – 1:10:48
- Viktoriia KALIUZHNA (Ukraine) – 1:12:13
- Sylvia MBOGA MEDUGU (Kenya) – 1:12:20
- Sabina JARZĄBEK (Poland) – 1:12:47
- Beata NIEMYJSKA (Poland) – 1:15:36
- Joanna KONOPKO (Poland) – 1:18:05
A total of 14,720 runners took part in this year’s race, setting a new all-time Polish record for half marathon participation.
The New Balance Run for Five also saw record turnout, with 5375 finishers crossing the line. Mikołaj Czeronek won the men’s 5K in 14:34, while Elżbieta Glinka took the women’s title in 16:02.
New Balance High Five – Top 6 Men (gross time):
- Mikołaj CZERONEK (Poland) – 14:34
- Dariusz NOWAKOWSKI (Poland) – 14:35
- Jakub NAPIERAŁA (Poland) – 14:44
- Filip BABIK (Poland) – 15:01
- Emil DOBROWOLSKI (Poland) – 15:11
- Michał MISIEWICZ (Poland) – 15:15
New Balance High Five – Top 6 Women (gross time):
- Elżbieta GLINKA (Poland) – 16:02
- Agnieszka CHORZĘPA (Poland) – 16:33
- Ewa JAGIELSKA (Poland) – 16:36
- Dominika STELMACH (Poland) – 16:52
- Iwona WICHA (Poland) – 17:09
- Yuliia VEREMCHUK (Ukraine) – 17:11
An impressive 20,095 participants took to the streets of Warsaw across both the Half Marathon and the New Balance High Five – a truly remarkable turnout!
A Route That Showcased the Best of Warsaw
Once again, the Warsaw Half Marathon route offered both speed and scenery. Runners set off from Poniatowski Bridge, passed through key city landmarks including Aleje Jerozolimskie, Krakowskie Przedmieście, and Żoliborz, then crossed Gdański Bridge before finishing near the PGE Narodowy Stadium. Every part of the course reflected the dynamic character of the city and its undeniable energy.
“Today we achieved exactly what we set out to do. We wanted to create an event that would not only be the biggest in Poland but would also bring together top-tier athletes and showcase the spirit of Warsaw. And we succeeded. Record participation, World Athletics Elite Label, and fantastic results. But above all, what moved me most was the emotion – the thousands of fans, volunteers, and runners who made this day unforgettable. Today, Warsaw didn’t just host a race – it ran alongside us” – said Marek Tronina, CEO of the “Warsaw Marathon” Foundation.
Loud Cheers and Community Spirit – Warsaw Cheered with Heart
From start to finish, the city embraced the race with open arms. Music and cheers filled the streets, and 29 official cheering zones were set up all along the course, keeping the energy high with everything from live orchestras and samba drums to family-friendly areas offering face painting and bubble fun. The finish zone near the PGE Narodowy Stadium was transformed into a vibrant Runner’s Village – a space for athletes and fans to relax, enjoy live music, and take part in activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. It was more than a race – it was a joyful celebration of community, movement, and positivity.
#BiegamDobrze – Running for a Greater Cause
Among the thousands of participants, 1739 runners stood out in orange – the ambassadors of the #BiegamDobrze (Polish for “I run for good”) charity initiative. Together, they raised over 750,000 PLN (and counting, with online donations open until April 4) for various non-profit organizations. Supported by foundation representatives on the route and at the finish line, these runners turned every step into a gesture of support and solidarity. For more than a decade, #BiegamDobrze has shown how running can go hand-in-hand with doing good, and this year was no exception.
Thank You, Warsaw!
The 116 123. Warsaw Half Marathon was a historic event – full of powerful performances, emotional moments, and an atmosphere like no other. The Warsaw Marathon Foundation would like to thank all participants, volunteers, fans, partners, and the people of Warsaw. Your energy and enthusiasm made this event truly extraordinary. For many, this was the start of a new running journey. For others, a moment of inspiration. Either way, we hope to see you at the next starting line. Until then – keep running, Warsaw!
