Cracovia Marathon

Held since 2002, the Cracovia Marathon is the most important running event in Kraków and the largest spring run over the royal distance in Poland. It is exactly 42.195 km and attracts runners from all over the world to the foot of the Wawel Castle. The event is the most international one among Polish marathons, with the highest turnout of foreign participants in the country. So far, competitors from 70 countries have competed in the Cracovia Marathon. The weekend of the Cracovia Marathon is a true celebration of sport. The Mini Cracovia Marathon (4.2 km) commemorating Piotr Gładki takes place on Saturday and is dedicated to the memory of the winner of the 4th edition of the Cracovia Marathon who was the first (and so far only) Pole to win the Cracovia Marathon. Two weeks later he tragically died in a traffic accident. Cracovia Inline Skating Marathon is a competition that has accompanied the marathon since 2006. The full-length marathon route goes around Błonia Park. It must be completed in a maximum of 3 hours. A 10-kilometre Night Run has also been organized since 2014. The event takes place on the evening preceding the Cracovia Marathon. As of 2018, its participants start and finish on the Main Market Square. They have a time limit of 1.5 hours to cover the distance. In 2023, the event was held under the name European Games Night Run, heralding the celebration of sports that was to take place in Kraków and the Małopolska Region. The participants unanimously agree that the view of the Old Town at night from a runner's perspective is a unique experience. Athletes with disabilities have also been competing in the Cracovia Marathon since the event began. Among them are wheelchair athletes. Before the runners take to the route, competitors in the categories of handbike, rim push and active wheelchair also take the legendary distance.