History and passion at the Silesian Stadium

There is one thing which makes Silesia Marathon truly unique – the legendary Silesian Stadium, the largest athletics stadium in this part of Europe, where every participant experiences an unforgettable Olympic-style finish.

Located in southern Poland, not far from the city of Cracow, the marathon stands out thanks to one exceptional feature on its route. The Silesian Stadium, situated in Chorzow, is an important place for Polish and international sport. Since its opening in 1956 this multifunctional facility has witnessed countless events, including renowned athletic competitions.

One such will be the European Athletics Championships scheduled to take place here in 2028. On the track of the so-called “Witch’s Cauldron” runners in the Silesia Marathon cross the magical finish line supported by a crowd of spectators in the stands. In 2017, at the reopening of the stadium after renovation, a total of 100,000 spectators watched the Silesia Marathon from the stands.

The climactic finish is only a part of what Silesia Marathon has to offer. During the course of the race runners will pass through four cities in the Silesian region: Katowice, Chorzow, Myslowice, and Siemianowice. The race leads through picturesque streets, passing both modern architecture and historic buildings.

Participants can feel the pulse of the region, discovering its rich history and culture. In the early kilometres there is the legendary “Spodek” arena in Katowice. Just before the finish the race goes through the Silesian Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, surpassing even New York City’s Central Park in terms of area.

Since the beginning in 2009 Bohdan Witwicki has been responsible for the route and the entire event. As a running enthusiast the race director has for many years been participating in marathons worldwide and draws inspiration that is then translated into new solutions in the Silesian race.

Upon arrival at the Silesia Marathon runners also have the opportunity to explore the beauty of its surroundings. Silesia is full of contrasts, offering both natural beauty and valuable cultural heritage. In addition to the race itself, participants can visit unique places such as the historic “Królowa Luiza” mine, the Silesian Museum or the beautiful district of Nikiszowiec. During a visit to Silesia one can also explore exceptional historical sites located in close proximity, such as the Old Town in Krakow or the Auschwitz Museum. There are two airports within an hour’s drive of Katowice.

Participants have the opportunity to choose from three different race distances: marathon, half marathon and ultramarathon, which allows them to adapt the challenge to their abilities and fitness. The record holder for the marathon is Andrzej Rogiewicz, who completed the marathon with a time of 2:19:07.

Silesia Marathon is known for the beautiful race T-shirts included in the package and its reasonable prices. This year the package prices are approximately 44 EUR for the marathon, around 40 EUR for the half marathon and about 47 EUR for the ultramarathon. Silesia Marathon is not just a race; it is a true journey of discovery where sport, history and passion meet at the legendary Silesian Stadium.