The city is lacing up. On Sunday, 12 October, thousands of runners will take over Poznań for the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon. This year brings a brand-new course with two headline moments: a quiet glide through the New Zoo and a goosebump-worthy dash across the turf of Enea Stadium. If you love big-city races with big-hearted crowds, this one has your name on it.
The Start and the Spirit of the City
Poznań’s marathon weekend officially kicks off with innovation-minded organisation and a packed city support plan. Start time for the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon is set for 9:00 on ul. Grunwaldzka by the Poznań International Fair—familiar ground, new direction. From the cannon, runners head toward Rondo Kaponiera and Święty Marcin, passing university buildings, the Adam Mickiewicz square and the Imperial Castle, before swinging across Most św. Rocha toward Lake Malta. It’s a scenic, story-rich opener that blends downtown architecture with riverside views and a festival atmosphere.
What’s new in 2025?
Two course additions will define this edition of the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon. First, the route skirts the north shore of Lake Malta and enters the New Zoo—organisers ask runners (and fans) to keep the decibels down for the animal residents. Second, the field will actually run through Enea Stadium on Bułgarska, the home of Lech Poznań—an unforgettable stadium-tunnel-to-pitch moment before the final push back down Grunwaldzka to the traditional finish on Plac Marka at MTP.
There’s also a new name above the start arch. LOTTO joins as Title Partner, underscoring its long-standing support for sport and culture. Expect additional activations around the course and in fan areas, plus a strong emphasis on community involvement.
Golden Pegasi: a triple-marathon prize
For the first time, the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon joins the Złota Seria 42 (Golden Series 42). Finishers who complete all three of Poland’s flagship marathons in 2025—Cracovia, Warsaw and Poznań—will receive the Golden Pegasi trophy. It’s a motivating bridge between the country’s biggest races and a celebration of runners who keep showing up, season after season.
The medal, the shirt, the pride
This year’s medal for the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon honours the 150th anniversary of Cyryl Ratajski—lawyer, statesman, wartime resistance leader and a transformative pre-war President of Poznań. The silver-tone medal features his portrait over a mesh of city streets; it’s 7 cm across and 7 mm thick, with on-site engraving planned in the finish zone.
And yes—the official race shirt is already a local legend. The design proudly features pyry (potatoes), Poznań’s tongue-in-cheek culinary emblem, in a colourful pattern that you’ll spot all over town on race day. It’s the kind of souvenir you’ll wear with a grin, and a playful nod to the city’s identity.
Logistics for runners and residents
The LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon course will be closed to car traffic on Sunday, 12 October, between 8:00 and 16:00. Grunwaldzka (Szylinga–Roosevelta) closes from 6:00. Sections of the route reopen once the last runner passes, so the earliest relief will be in the city centre. Saturday brings shorter disruptions because the companion 5 km race—Poznań Five—has shifted to the day before the marathon. Expect public transport changes; the city urges using trams and buses or planning alternatives.
To make moving around easier, organisers will publish a Google Maps overlay that updates live during the race, showing which sections have reopened. There’s a dedicated hotline and email for practical questions about getting around the city across race weekend: 502 622 438 and utrudnieniawruchu@marathon.poznan.pl (operational Thursday–Sunday with extended evening hours).
Travelling on a budget? The organiser offers free floor-space accommodation for 600 people in POSiR sports halls on the night of 11/12 October—bring your own mat and sleeping bag. And for bib-holders, free regional train travel within Greater Poland (11–12 October) and free city transport in zones A+B+C (10–12 October) make getting to the start and back home a breeze. Keep your start card and ID handy for checks.
Planning a zoo visit on race day? The New Zoo opens at 13:00 on Sunday; morning vehicle access is restricted because the course runs past Malta and through the Zoo grounds. From 9:00–12:00, there’s a Zoo fan zone at Wiankowa/Krańcowa to cheer—quietly—before the gates open.
Pacing, support, and the fan-zone energy
Over twenty official fan points will be dotted along the course of the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon, and locals are famously loud—except, of course, inside the Zoo. Pacemakers will lead groups at popular targets including 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00 and 5:45, each carrying a tall hussar-style flag with the net time. If you’ve been training to a plan, find your flag in the start corral and lock in early. On-course provisioning follows proven big-race standards, with water, isotonic drinks, fruit and chocolate at nutrition points, plus professional timing, licensed referees and medical cover.
Quick race-week checklist
- Pick up your bib and attach it visibly; it contains your timing chip.
- If you’re using a pacer, plan your starting wave accordingly.
- Hydrate sensibly, rehearse your fuelling, and study the course map (and the Google overlay on Sunday).
- Getting to and from the venue? Consider those free train and city-transport options.
- Spectators: choose a fan point, check the road closures, and bring your voice. Poznań supplies the rest.
Lace up!
Fresh course, same famous roar. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, a first marathon finish, or that Golden Pegasi hat-trick, the LOTTO 24. Poznań Marathon promises a full-tilt city celebration from the first step on Grunwaldzka to the last stride across Plac Marka. Good luck to every runner—and Poznań, let’s make some noise.
