Is there a paradise for runners? Here on earth, in your lifetime? A place where running is different, better than anywhere else?
Top runners travel to train in St. Moritz in Switzerland, Sierra Nevada in Spain, Eldoret in Kenya, Potchefstroom in South Africa, or Albuquerque in the United States, which are so popular because of their altitude. Probably every marathon runner would like to ‘pass’ the World Marathon Majors (marathons in Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston, London and Berlin). And is Krakow also a runner-friendly city? Let’s find out.
Where to run in Krakow?
Running in Krakow is possible almost everywhere. There are many places where, regardless of the season, day of the week or hour, we will meet running enthusiasts. The Vistula boulevards, Błonia Krakowskie, Lasek Wolski, Zakrzówek, £ąki Nowohuckie, Zalew Nowohucki, Park Lotników, Młynówka Królewska, embankments of Rudawa river or the Borkowski Forest are examples of areas offering a wide variety of landscapes and, more importantly for runners, varied route profiles and surfaces.
With whom to run in Krakow
You can run alone, but you can also run in a group. There are many arguments given by runners to conclude that running in company is worthwhile. Training together is an additional source of motivation, an opportunity to find inspiration and role models. In a group, it is easier to develop as a runner, there is no time for boredom, a sense of belonging is built and, at the same time, we broaden our circle of acquaintances. The number of members of Krakow’s running groups in the Royal Running Triad events organised in the city (Cracovia Marathon, Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, the Three Mounds Run) shows that the most active are currently AZS AWF Krakow Masters, the Association of Runners You Can Be Great and the Krakow Distance Running Club. There are, of course, many more possibilities Choosing a running group is a very individual matter. It is worth doing some research
Ready for take-off? Take off!
And where in Krakow can you check your form during a mass run? There is no shortage of opportunities in this area either. The Sports Infrastructure Management Board of Krakow, on behalf of the Municipality of Krakow, organises prestigious running events in the capital of Malopolska. The most important of these are the Cracovia Marathon, the Cracovia Royal Half Marathon and the Three Mounds Run, which since 2016 have formed a series called the Royal Running Triad. Those who manage to complete all three distances during the running season are honoured with special prizes. Almost 6,000 male and female runners can boast the title of Royal Running Triad winner.
Held since 2002, the Cracovia Marathon is the most important running event in Krakow and the largest spring run of 42 km and 195 m in Poland, attracting runners from all over the world to Wawel Castle. It is the most international among Polish marathons, with the highest turnout of participants from abroad in the country. So far, runners from 70 countries have competed in the Cracovia Marathon. The nearest opportunity to experience the uniqueness of this run is in the spring – on 6 April 2025! Online registration for the 22nd Cracovia Marathon will be launched soon, on 6 November – six months before the run!
Since 2014, a 10 km Night Run has also been organised on the occasion of the Cracovia Marathon. The event takes place on the evening before the struggle over the royal distance. Since 2018, its participants start and finish on the Main Square. They have 1.5 hours to complete the distance. The view of the Old Town at night from the runner’s perspective is a unique experience, as the competitors agree.
In terms of turnout, the Cracovia Królewski Half Marathon attracts the largest number of participants among the events of the Royal Running Triad. The 21-kilometre distance has been run by participants in Krakow since 2014. The race traditionally has its finish line at the TAURON Arena Krakow. Like the Cracovia Marathon, it offers a chance to tackle a route running among the monuments and charming streets of Krakow, with the finish taking place in a blaze of lights on the main floor of the largest sports and entertainment hall in Poland. Especially for this occasion, the illumination of the arena is arranged to emphasise the atmosphere of the event. The 11th edition of the Cracovia Półmaraton Królewski is scheduled for 12 October 2025.
The third of the Triad’s runs is the Three Mounds Run – the International Open Championships of Krakow in Mountain Running. The event was held for the first time in 2007. Participants have to run a picturesque 13-kilometre route between three Krakow mounds. It is the only mountain run in Poland whose route leads through the centre of a large city.
Almost a quarter of the route leads along paths with an unpaved surface. The difference in altitude reaches 160 metres. For this reason, the international classification classifies the run as ‘Anglo-Saxon’, where the route goes up and down. This distinguishes it from the ‘Alpine’ version, where for the most part it only climbs. Travelling along the route, participants can see that the capital of Malopolska is more than just monuments and modern infrastructure. Krakow is also a city of greenery and unique landscapes. The participants start from Kopiec Krakusa, walk through the Vistula boulevards, Salwator, past Kopiec Kościuszki to Kopiec Piłsudskiego. They have 2 hours to complete the 13-kilometre distance. The 18th edition of the Run of the Three Mounds is scheduled for 21 September 2025.
There are many places to run in Krakow and there are people willing to train together. There is also a diverse offer of mass events. Can the capital of Malopolska be perceived as a paradise for runners? We should ask the interested parties themselves. One can certainly say that Krakow tempts and encourages to run!
