On Saturday, November 11, 2026, Warsaw will invite thousands of participants to jointly celebrate Independence Day. The central event will be the 36th Independence Run, with the main start scheduled for 11:11 AM. This event, which is an important part of the city's sports tradition, combines physical activity with a patriotic setting, creating a space for residents to integrate through shared activity on the race and march route.

The organizers of the event are the Capital City Sports Center Aktywna Warszawa and the Warsaw Marathon Foundation. The 36th Independence Run is one of the elements of the Warsaw Running Triad under the slogan "Run for Memory." For those who wish to actively participate in the celebrations, several distance options and forms of activity have been prepared, allowing participants to tailor their involvement to their individual sporting abilities and preferences.

Available Distances and Formats

Participants have several options to choose from, which differ in character and length:

  • Main Race (10 km): A traditional course for adult runners, divided into start zones depending on the expected finishing time.
  • Nordic Walking (5 km): An option for people who prefer walking with poles.
  • Independence Mile (1918 m): A distance dedicated to children and youth, symbolically referring to the year Poland regained its independence.
  • Virtual Run: An opportunity to take part in the event outside the main course.

The daily schedule begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. Bib collection at the Race Office will be possible between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. A separate Press Office will be available for media from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Start Schedule and Daily Flow

The key early-morning moment will be the start of the Independence Mile, scheduled for 10:00 AM. Before the main race begins, organizers have planned special procedures for people with disabilities. At 11:07 AM, the National Anthem will be sung together, and at 11:08 AM, the start will be given for wheelchair racers with active propulsion, handbikes, and tandems.

The main running event is divided into two start waves, which allows for better crowd management and safety:

Wave 1 (Bib numbers with red background):

  • 10:59 AM – Warm-up with Well Fitness.
  • 11:11 AM – Start of Zone 1 (time 30:00 – 43:59).
  • 11:21 AM – Start of Zone 2 (time 44:00 – 49:59).
  • 11:35 AM – Start of Zone 3 (time 50:00 – 55:59).

Wave 2 (Bib numbers with white background):

  • 11:50 AM – Warm-up with Well Fitness.
  • 12:00 PM – Start of Zone 4 (time 56:00 – 59:59).
  • 12:15 PM – Start of Zone 5 (time 1:00:00 – 1:04:59).
  • 12:30 PM – Start of Zone 6 (time from 1:05:00).

At 12:45 PM, the Nordic Walking zone will start. After the sports competitions conclude, an awards ceremony for the top participants in the general classification, as well as for racers on directly propelled wheelchairs, tandems, and in the Warsaw Residents classification, is planned for 1:00 PM. The entire event will end at 3:30 PM.

For the comfort of participants, luggage storage will be available. For those participating in the Independence Mile, luggage storage will be open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and for participants of the main race of the 36th Independence Run from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

The event is designed to create a specific patriotic atmosphere, supported by music and decorations in white and red colors. The run is an opportunity to symbolically honor history and integrate the capital's running community.