Everything about
the 20. Onet 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.

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. 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.

Why it looks like this? On the front, we opted for absolute minimalism. A clean, elegant race logo that perfectly stands out against the dark background. However, the real magic happens on the back. We decided on a bold, Japanese inscription of the word Ekiden (駅伝競走), because let’s be honest: it’s not just a tribute to the Asian roots of this format, but also a detail that simply looks incredibly cool.

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.

Here is the 2026 edition medal:

Bib Pickup

Bib numbers can be collected at the Race Office.

• 22 may 2026 (friday) – 3 pm – 7 pm
• 23 may 2026 (saturday) – 8 am – 12 pm

What do you receive at the Race Office?

• Starting numbers for the entire team
• Safety pins
• Antibacterial gels from the Lux Med Group
• Commemorative t-shirts – if you ordered themod EGIS Polska.

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

Participants of the 20th Onet Relay Marathon will run through the green areas of the main AWF (University of Physical Education) campus. Two loops await you: 2.195 km long and 2.5 km long.

• The length of the entire route is 42.195 km, which is a marathon. The lengths of the individual relay legs are consecutively: 7.195 km; 10 km; 10 km; 5 km; 5 km; 5 km. In practice, this means that the first person runs 7.195 km, the next two – 10 km each, and the next three – 5 km each. The person starting first will cover the shorter loop (2.195 km), and then two 2.5 km loops. Subsequent runners only run on the 2.5 km loops.
• Attention! The lengths of the individual relay legs and the order of runners confirmed upon collecting the starter packs cannot be changed. The leg order is indicated on the starting number. The captain assigns the starting numbers to the relay members according to the order declared in the registration form.
• At the refreshment station, the following will be available: Primavera spring water and drWitt isotonic drink.

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

Batons are an additional element of a race in the Ekiden formula, which does not appear in individual runs. Read carefully!

Collecting the starter pack is not the same as collecting the baton for your team!

• To collect the baton for your team, you must report for it – immediately before the start of your wave – in the start zone. It is collected by the first runner.
• To make a changeover, i.e., to finish your run and start the next person’s race, you must pass the baton to each other in the changeover zone.

IMPORTANT: A timing chip is located inside the baton (any interference – including removing the chip – is prohibited). Losing the baton or finishing without it results in the team’s disqualification.

What else to remember?

• We ask you to stay as calm as your pre-start emotions allow while waiting for your baton.
• Runners who pass the baton finish their race and step off the route.

Starts of subsequent waves:

1. 9:00 – wave A – start
2. 10:30 – wave B – start
3. 11:00 – wave C – start
4. 11:15 – wave D – start
5. 11:30 – wave E – start
6. 11:45 – wave F – start
7. 12:00 – wave G – start
8. 12:15 – wave H – start
9. 12:30 – wave I – start
10. 12:45 – wave J – start
11. 13:00 – wave K – start

Relay baton exchange

This is an absolutely crucial element of a race in the Ekiden formula (i.e., a relay marathon). Please read this carefully today, and keep a cool head during the race!

You are waiting for your baton, which your teammate is about to pass to you – what do you need to know?

• Position yourself in the starting box if you are the next runner and your predecessor is on their last loop.
• You will know when to be ready to take over the baton. Monitors are set up by the starting boxes. A timing mat will be located on the route approx. 200 meters before the changeover zone. The signal from the mat is transmitted to the monitor, which displays the team name of the approaching runner. At this moment (or after seeing your runner approaching the zone), you can step out of the starting box into the changeover zone.
• Immediately after passing the baton, you leave the route – watch out for others and listen to the volunteers. You won’t get lost!

Hydration Stations

Hydration, especially during a May race, is a key element in maintaining good shape during the run.

The water station on the route will be located 150 meters before the changeover zone, on the left side of the route. You will have it on your left side. In practice, this means that runners:

• running 7.195 km will visit the hydration station 3 times
• running 10 km will visit the hydration station 4 times
• running 5 km will visit the hydration station 2 times

The station will offer: DrWITT isotonic drink and Primavera spring water.

Bag Deposit

Participants will have the opportunity to deposit their belongings from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

You will find the deposit zone in the Runner’s Village, next to the stage and changing rooms, see the map:

ATTENTION: Deposits can only be collected upon presentation of your starting number.

Leaving valuables and documents in the deposit is prohibited.

Time measurment and limits

Timing will be conducted by PZLA (Polish Athletic Association) judges and an electronic system, exactly as it is done at the Warsaw Marathon, for example. With one key difference – more on that below.

Unlike in individual races, you do not lace a chip into your shoelaces. It is also not included in your starting number. During the 20th Onet Relay Marathon, the timing chip is located inside the baton, which runners of successive legs pass to one another.

You must guard the baton like a treasure. Losing it, damaging it, or finishing the race without it means disqualification for the entire team. That would be quite a shame.

Finish of the race

Runners of legs 1-5 finish their race after passing the baton to the next team member and leave the route through a designated corridor located at the end of the changeover zone!

The person running the last, sixth leg sprints with the baton to the finish line.

In the medal zone, participants receive:

• DrWITT isotonic drink
• Primavera spring water
• Lech Free 0% beer

Decorations

Relay teams receive commemorative medals at the finish line.

• The relay teams that take 1st to 3rd place in the general classification will receive trophies. The award ceremony for the winning relays will take place on the stage.

We invite you to the award ceremony at 15:30!

How to get to the start?

This year we are running at the AWF Campus in Warsaw’s Bielany district.

We strongly encourage you not to come by car, especially since the AWF Campus has excellent public transport connections!

• We recommend traveling by the M1 subway line (station: Stare Bielany), as well as by tram (lines: 6, 15, 17, 36, stop: AWF) and bus (lines: 121, 150, 181, 755, stop: AWF).
• The number of parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of AWF is limited.
• The Race Office and the start/finish line are located on the AWF Campus (34 Marymoncka St., 00-968 Warsaw).

Race village

This is the heart of every running event. And this one, during the anniversary Relay Marathon, will beat especially strongly! Details below.

When entering the AWF Campus, follow the signs – you will definitely find your way here.

The runner’s village is the place where, apart from the race itself, you will spend most of your time. This is exactly where you will find the race office, changing rooms, restrooms, chillout zones, and more!

Here is the map (click on it to enlarge):

We would like to remind you that placing any branding elements in the form of flags, banners, and other media containing the visual identification of companies or running teams is prohibited on the event premises, except for media agreed upon under a contract with the organizer.

Lighting barbecues is also prohibited on the event grounds.

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.