The event, part of the World Athletics Race Walking Tour, will take place along Świętokrzyska Street in the city center and will also serve as Poland's national championship in the half marathon race walking distance.
Founded by four-time Olympic champion Robert Korzeniowski, the competition has grown in prominence since its debut in 2022 at a track-and-field stadium in the Polish capital's Praga Południe district.
In subsequent years, the event moved to a course near the National Stadium and later to central locations including Teatralny Square and Piłsudskiego Square.
Organizers said they decided to keep the current route after positive feedback from athletes.
"Our course has a reputation for being fast and favorable for competitors," Korzeniowski said. “The 1 km loop meets the latest World Athletics standards, and we believe we are building a brand that could lead to hosting the World Team Championships in Warsaw in 2030."
Last year, Japan's Toshikazu Yamanishi won the men's 20 km event, while Ecuador's Paula Milena Torres triumphed in the women's 20 km.
The fastest Polish athletes narrowly missed out on podium finishes in both competitions. Katarzyna Zdziebło defended her national title, while Maher Ben Hlima won the men's Polish championship.
The day-long event will begin with youth competitions in the under-16, under-18 and under-20 categories. A 1 km walking event open to the public will follow at midday, before races for younger children.
The elite women’s race is scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m., with the men’s race beginning at 6 p.m. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 8 p.m.
Tomasz Majewski, deputy head of the Polish Athletics Association (PZLA), said the Warsaw meeting is an important stop on the World Athletics calendar, offering athletes valuable points toward Olympic and world rankings.
The event will be held under the auspices of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.
Deputy Mayor Renata Kaznowska said staging the competition in the city center is intended to bring top-level sport closer to the public, with free access for residents and visitors.
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Source: trojka.polskieradio.pl, PAP, um.warszawa.pl