A new event is set to join the Polish running scene this autumn/fall, with the debut of the PKO Olsztyn Half Marathon on the weekend of October 3-4, 2026.
Organised by sports marketing agency Sport Evolution, the event aims to position itself as a major road race in the northeastern region of Poland.
The event has secured the backing of PKO Bank Polski as its title sponsor. The financial institution is a frequent supporter of mass participation sports events in Poland, aligning the partnership with its corporate strategy to promote physical activity.
Michał Drelich, Director of the PKO Olsztyn Half Marathon, said “The involvement of PKO Bank Polski as the title sponsor is a huge boost for the project and a testament to its potential. Together, we want to create an event accessible to everyone – from beginners to ambitious amateurs – and promote an active lifestyle in the Warmia and Mazury region.”
The main 21.1km race will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 09:00 CEST. Holding an official course certification from the Polish Athletics Association, the route will guide runners through the city streets and surrounding areas of Olsztyn.
Participants will be permitted to wear headphones during the race to tune into a unique silent disco activation. The start and finish lines will be located at the city’s Urania Hall, with full route details to be confirmed by the organisers in the coming weeks.
Maciej Stroiński, Press Spokesperson for the PKO Olsztyn Half Marathon, said “We’re observing trends in the running world and see a huge number of young people who prioritize participating in a race, and even the process of preparing for it. The result doesn’t matter; what’s more important is being together and sharing the experience.”
The event weekend kicks off on the evening of Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 20:00 CEST with a 5km night run, which features specialised course lighting. On Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 13:00 CEST, the event schedule concludes with the Family Mile. This untimed 1,600m recreational run is open to children, young people, and families, with every finisher receiving a medal.
Mateusz Nowak, Director of the Sponsorship and Local Marketing Department at PKO Bank Polski, said “Running teaches consistency and perseverance. It also contributes to improving the physical and mental health of Poles, and caring for the development and well-being of our compatriots are values that are part of PKO Bank Polski’s sponsorship strategy. As the title sponsor, we support this new initiative, which has the potential to inspire and connect the community of runners and fans.”
Registration for the inaugural event opened this month, with the main half marathon field capped at 5,000 participants. Organisers are offering an initial tier of 500 entries priced at PLN 149 (€35), which will scale up to PLN 250 (€250) as capacity fills.
As part of the title sponsorship activation, the first 1,000 registrants who hold a personal account with PKO Bank Polski will receive a 20% discount on entry fees.
Additional categories include a three-person relay race capped at 100 teams, priced between PLN 300–350. The 5km night run has a capacity of 1,500 places priced at PLN 69–99, while the Family Mile costs PLN 20 for under-18s and PLN 50 for adults.
