Everything about
the Relay Marathon

How it works?

The Relay Marathon is the largest team running event in Poland and will take place on May 23, 2026. It is designed for teams of six runners representing companies, clubs, groups of friends, or families, who together take on the challenge of completing the marathon distance. The relay format means that it is not only about athletic performance, but above all about teamwork, connection, and team spirit. This is a race for those who want to experience sporting emotions together, from the start line to the shared joy at the finish.

What is the ekiden format?

The Relay Marathon is held in the ekiden format.

A team consists of 6 runners.

Each runner completes one assigned leg.

The distances are varied and accessible even for less experienced runners:

• runner 1 – 7.195 km
• runners 2 and 3 – 10 km
• runners 4, 5, and 6 – 5 km

Together, the team covers 42.195 km, the full marathon distance.

The final result is based on the combined times of all runners on the team. After finishing, participants can spend time in the race village and celebrate the sporting experience together.

Who is the event for?

Thanks to the shorter distances and the team format, the barrier to entry is low. What matters most is the willingness to take part and work together. Anyone can join the Relay Marathon, including

• companies and corporations,
• running clubs and sports associations,
• groups of friends,
• families,
• people who are just beginning their running journey.

Competition in the Relay Marathon goes beyond a single overall ranking. In addition to the general classification, there are numerous industry and themed categories that allow teams to compete with direct competitors from the same industry, race against friends, coworkers, and other teams, build sporting excitement within their own organization.

The team-based format means every result counts, and the shared competition strengthens engagement and team spirit.

Run-Friendly Company

Organizations that support physical activity among employees will be able to receive the “Run-Friendly Company” certificate, awarded by the Warsaw Marathon Foundation.

Examples of supported initiatives include:

• access to office showers,
• financial support for participation in sporting events,
• assistance with purchasing sports equipment,
• flexible working hours that allow time for training.

Certified companies:

• will be featured on the Relay Marathon and Warsaw Marathon websites,
• will be able to use the certificate in their communication, including recruitment materials.

Registration and Fees

Registration for all our races takes place online through the Registration website.

If you are a Team Captain (whether running or not):

1. Fill in the form with your personal details, step by step, following the instructions on the website.
2. Choose your registration path: standard (entry fee) or charity #BiegamDobrze (set up a charity fundraiser).
3. You can add an event T-shirt to your order by selecting your size. If you choose the charity path, you will be able to pay for the T-shirt after reaching the minimum fundraising amount and once your bib number has been assigned.
4. As you continue, you will be asked whether you are a Team Captain. Click YES.
5. Next, you will be asked whether you want to create a team. Click YES if you want to complete your team lineup and pay the entry fee. You can click NO and return to team creation at any time.
6. After clicking YES, you will see a screen where you can enter registration IDs provided by your teammates. Confirm their names and assign runners to specific distances. Complete the form with the required details.
7. If you are a Team Captain who is also running, enter your own registration ID as well. If you are not running, do not enter one.
8. You can pay the entry fee even if your team is not yet complete. Editing the form, changing assigned distances, adding runners, and removing them is possible until May 20.
9. Well done, your team is registered!
   
   

If you are a Participant (not the Team Captain):

1. Fill in the form with your personal details, step by step, following the instructions on the website.
2. You can add an event T-shirt to your order by selecting your size.
3. As you continue, you will be asked whether you are a Team Captain. Click NO.
4. A registration ID will appear on the screen. Share it with your Team Captain. The Captain will create the team, choose its name, assign distances to participants, select the start wave, and pay the entry fee. The Captain will also be able to view your order and edit the running order and selected T-shirt.
5. That is it. See you on May 23!

ATTENTION! Online registration opens soon and closes on May 21, 2026. After this date, no new payments should be made, even if the registration form was completed on time

Fees (for whole team)

Additional Services

Participants have the option to purchase additional options and services:

Industry Categories

The following classifications are held during the Relay Marathon:

1. General Classification
2. Industry Classifications – Each relay team may choose only one classification:

• Banks
• Insurance Companies
• Consulting Companies
• FMCG Companies
• IT Companies
• Telecommunications Companies
• Law Firms and Legal Companies
• Sports Clubs and Associations
• Healthcare
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Polish Corporate Relay Championship (this classification is governed by separate rules)

T-shirt and Medal

T-shirt

For each edition of the race, we design a commemorative T-shirt and its design will be revealed soon. Every runner can add a T-shirt to their order during registration. Each Team Captain has access to their team members’ orders and can edit them.

Only a cotton T-shirt is available. The T-shirt size can be changed by editing the registration form, but no later than May 3, 2026. The number of shirts available in each size is limited and availability cannot be guaranteed at all times.

Medal

A unique medal awaits all finishers of the marathon. It is a long standing tradition that the individual relay marathon medals combine to form one larger medal. This will also be the case this year.

What exactly will we prepare for 2026? The reveal is coming soon.

Bib Pickup

Bib numbers can be collected at the Race Office.

Key Information

All relay teams taking part in the race must be verified at the Race Office and collect their bib numbers there, unless they choose the option of having the race pack mailed.

Verification at the Race Office may be completed by the Team Captain, the person who registered the team, or by an authorized representative. The authorization form can be downloaded from the Captain’s account in the Runner’s Panel. Verification requires two elements:

• the Captain’s identity document, or a photo or copy of it in the case of an authorized representative,
• and the QR code sent to the Team Captain by email and SMS on May 21, 2026 after 5:00 PM.

Regardless of the verification method, written parental or guardian consent must be presented for all underage team members.

Race Office opening hours:

• May 22, 2026, Friday, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• May 23, 2026, Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Attention! Your team’s bib numbers must be collected no later than 30 minutes before the start of your assigned wave.

Teams in the first wave starting at 9:00 AM are required to collect their race packs on Friday..

Bib Mailing

A relay team that chooses the mailing option does not need to complete verification at the Race Office.

• Race Pack Mailing is a service that includes shipping bib numbers, safety pins, and optionally commemorative T-shirts, depending on the selected race pack option. Sponsor gadgets are not included in mailed packs and are distributed only at the Race Office during in-person pickup.
• Race Pack Mailing is an additional paid service available within Poland. The fee is PLN 40 gross per relay team. The mailing option can be ordered and paid for until May 7, 2026.
• To qualify for race pack mailing, the team must have bib numbers assigned, which happens after the entry fee payment is processed, no later than May 7, 2026.
• Shipments will be sent approximately two weeks before the race. If the package has not arrived by May 18, 2026, the Team Captain should report this to the Organizer at [email protected].

Team Capitan’s role

The Team Captain is the person who completes the registration form and registers the team for the race.

• The Team Captain does not have to be a runner and may act only as the person registering the team.
• The Captain collects the team’s race pack at the Race Office, but this can also be done by an authorized representative. The authorization form is available in the Runner’s Panel on the Captain’s account.
• Team Captains are invited to attend the runners’ briefing, which will take place at 8:30 AM on the stage near the relay changeover zone. The Captain may be represented at the briefing by any person who will then pass the information on to the rest of the team.
• Attention! The briefing is not mandatory, but participation is encouraged.
• On Friday before the race, a video briefing for runners will be published on the Warsaw Marathon Foundation website and social media channels. We encourage everyone to watch it.

Running Order and Team Lineup Changes

• The final relay team lineup and the order of runners on each leg are determined by the Team Captain in the registration form.
• These details can be edited online in the Runner’s Panel until May 20, 2026. At the Race Office, changes to the team lineup can be made in person when collecting the race pack, but changes to the running order will no longer be possible..

ATTENTION! No changes to the team lineup or running order are allowed after the race pack has been collected.

Invoice

Pro-forma invoice

To request a pro forma invoice, please contact [email protected] by email. If you want to receive a pro forma invoice, do not select the “Invoice” option in the registration form..

Invoice

Participants who would like to receive an invoice for the paid entry fee should select the appropriate option in the registration form and provide all details required to issue the document. The invoice will be issued after the payment has been processed and will be available for download from the Team Captain’s profile by the 15th day of the month following the month in which the payment was made.

Course and Relay Changeover Order

• The total course distance is 42.195 km, the marathon. The relay legs are, in order: 7.195 km, 10 km, 10 km, 5 km, 5 km, and 5 km.
• Attention! The distances of each leg and the running order confirmed at race pack pickup cannot be changed. The order of legs is marked on the bib numbers. The Team Captain assigns bib numbers to relay members according to the order declared in the registration form.

Team capitans briefing

The Team Captains’ briefing, or a briefing for their designated representatives, will take place at 8:30 AM on May 23, 2026 on the stage near the relay changeover zone. We encourage captains of all teams, or a person appointed by them, to attend and pass the key information on to the rest of the team. The briefing is open to all interested participants.

The briefing is not mandatory, but attendance is recommended.
On Friday evening before the race, we will publish a short video summarizing the most important technical information about your start.

Relay baton pickup and starts

More information soon.

Relay baton exchange

Monitors will be placed near the starting boxes. About 200 meters before the changeover zone, there will be a timing mat on the course. The signal from the mat is sent to the monitor, where the name of the incoming runner’s team will appear. At that moment, or when you see your runner approaching the zone, the next runner may leave the starting box and move into the changeover area.

For the comfort and safety of all participants, please wait for your runner on the grass and step onto the course only at the moment of the baton exchange.

Hydration Stations

More information soon.

Bag Deposit

Participants will be able to leave their belongings in a designated deposit area. Items can be collected only upon presentation of a bib number.

Leaving valuables or documents in the deposit is not permitted.

Time measurment and limits

Time will be measured by certified Polish Athletics Association judges and with the use of an electronic timing system. The timing chip is placed in the baton that runners pass to one another at each relay changeover.

Finish of the race

Runners on legs 1 through 5 finish their part of the race after passing the baton to the next team member and must leave the course through the designated exit lane located at the end of the changeover zone.

In the medal zone, they will receive their medal and drinks.

Decorations

All participants who finish the 20th Relay Marathon will receive commemorative medals at the finish line..

• Relay teams that place 1st to 3rd in the overall classification will receive trophies. The award ceremony for the winning teams will take place on the stage. The exact time will be announced soon.

How to get to the start?

Once we publish the course, we will also share tips on the best way to get to the Race Village. As always, we recommend using public transport or shared travel to reach the event.

Race village

More information about the Race Village coming soon.

Please note that displaying any branding materials such as flags, banners, or other items featuring company or team visual identification is not allowed at the event, except for materials approved under a separate agreement with the organizer. Grilling is also prohibited within the event area. If you would like to have your own designated zone in the Race Village, please see the information below.

Details about #IRUNWELL

#IRUNWELL joins the Relay Marathon. Take part in the event and support charitable organizations.

What is the charity initiative #IRUNWELL?

#IRUNWELL is the largest program in Poland that combines charitable giving with participation in running events. How does it work?

During race registration, participants can choose one of two registration paths: the traditional option or the charity option, #IRUNWELL. The charity path allows runners to receive a race bib in exchange for taking part in fundraising for a good cause.

How to participate?

To join the #IRUNWELL charity initiative, select the “charity registration mode” in the race registration form and choose the charitable cause that will receive the funds you raise.

You can choose from three partner charities: the Rak’n’Roll Foundation, the Empowering Children Foundation, and the DKMS Foundation.

You can find more about organisation in your Race panel and #IRUNWELL website.

Receiving a race bib through charity support.

A team may withdraw from fundraising at any time before reaching the minimum amount and transfer its race entry from the charity path to the traditional path. Any funds already raised will still be donated to the selected charity.

If a team raises at least PLN 1,200 in its fundraiser by April 24, 2026, bib numbers will be assigned. The team’s entry fee will then be covered by the supported charitable organization.

Important informations:

Fundraisers run by teams that reach or exceed the required amount will remain open until May 31, 2026.

Fundraisers that do not reach the minimum amount of PLN 1,200 by April 24, 2026 will be closed, and the collected funds will be distributed as follows:

After deducting payment processing fees and commissions related to online transactions, the remaining amount is divided as follows:
90% goes to the selected charitable organization,
10% is allocated to the maintenance and development of the #BiegamDobrze initiative and to the statutory goals of the Warsaw Marathon Foundation.