Łódź Marathon

Location: Łódź
Country: Poland
Website: https://lodzmaraton.pl/en/
2025 Marathon Date: 06/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 12/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:17:00
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Łódź Marathon is held each spring in the central Polish city of Łódź, a place known for its industrial heritage, revitalised urban areas, and growing popularity as a destination for competitive running. The event has steadily developed into one of the country’s fastest courses, offering a serious opportunity for athletes chasing ambitious time goals.

The route is flat and fast, with a well-planned loop that minimises turns and elevation changes. It winds through city streets, commercial zones, and residential areas, offering a varied but rhythm-friendly experience. Sections of the course pass through the centre of Łódź, while others feature long, uninterrupted straights well suited to steady pacing.

Weather in early April typically favours endurance running. Runners can expect cool and dry conditions, with temperatures at the start often around 8–12°C. The inland setting helps reduce the risk of wind, and while the course is urban, it avoids the bottlenecks and crowding that can characterise bigger city races.

The event is well organised, with clear marshalling, dependable aid stations, and smooth logistics. While not on the scale of major European marathons, the Doz Łódź Marathon has a professional feel and attracts a dedicated field of competitive runners. The atmosphere is focused rather than festive, making it a solid choice for those prioritising performance over spectacle.

For sub-3 marathoners, Łódź offers an ideal combination of pace-friendly design, favourable spring weather, and strong peer motivation. The field size is large enough to provide pacing groups, yet small enough to allow for clean racing lines throughout. Accommodation and travel are also relatively affordable compared to larger capitals.

In short, the Łódź Marathon is one of Poland’s most efficient platforms for runners with serious time goals. It may fly under the radar internationally, but for those in the know, it offers a fast, no-nonsense challenge in a city that’s reinventing itself through sport and culture.