The Bydgoszcz Canal Night Marathon since 2007
22nd Edition
RULES AND REGULATIONS
In accordance with the guidelines of the Polish Athletic Association (PZLA) and the recommendation of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, participants representing Russia and Belarus are excluded from participating in the “Bydgoszcz Canal Night Marathon since 2007.” This exclusion applies to nationality, not citizenship! Citizens of Russia and Belarus who intentionally select a different citizenship during registration will not be admitted to the race, and their entry fee will not be refunded.
Below are only the most important points of the rules and regulations. It is essential to read the entire text provided below!
● Participation in the race is voluntary, and each participant competes at their own risk, regardless of the weather conditions encountered on the course. In the event of injury or property damage, participants will not make any claims against the organizer.
● During registration at the race office, NO AUTHORIZATIONS to pick up a race packet on someone else’s behalf WILL BE ACCEPTED! This means that the race packet can only be picked up in person upon presentation of a photo ID and a QR code.
● Starting the race before the official start time will result in classification as a DNS (did not start). The above does not apply to the masters category, eligibility for which is determined solely by the organizer.
● The race takes place in a city park with varied terrain (gravel, asphalt). Participants should expect uneven surfaces, loose pebbles, pinecones, and other such obstacles. Additionally, the race is held at dusk and at night, which further increases the risk of dangerous situations!
● One section of the race course runs parallel to the roadway. When entering or exiting the roadway, you must strictly follow the instructions of the organizer’s staff and/or adhere to the temporary traffic control signs!
● Having your own lighting, such as a “headlamp” or other similar accessories, IS MANDATORY! The course will be illuminated by park lights; however, the organizer assumes no responsibility for any malfunctions of this lighting, which does not belong to the organizer!
● Nordic walkers, cyclists, inline skaters, scooter riders, etc., are prohibited from participating—for example, as pacemakers on the marathon course during the event. The organizer does not permit participants to bring dogs or other animals!
1. OBJECTIVE
To continue the tradition of the oldest, continuously held night marathon in Poland,
To preserve the event’s iconic status by bringing together regular participants at the starting line—who symbolize the values embodied by sports, and marathon running in particular,
To promote the City of Bydgoszcz in Poland, Europe, and around the world,
To promote the sports and recreational benefits of Bydgoszcz Plant, a park located along the Old Bydgoszcz Canal—a unique historical hydrotechnical monument and Poland’s oldest fully completed waterway, which connected the river basins of Western and Eastern Europe,
Enabling runners to compete in a unique setting—at night,
Promoting physical fitness and sports—the opportunity to run a distance shorter than a marathon,
Popularizing long-distance running.
2. ORGANIZER
“Gwiazda” Sports Club, Bydgoszcz, founded in 1920
3. DATE AND LOCATION
June 12, 2027 (Saturday) —race start at 9: 00 pm,
June 13, 2027 (Sunda) —timing system szus down at 3: 00 am,
Race Office — Bydgoszcz, “Gwiazda” Sports Club Stadium. Entrance from 84 Nakielska Street or Mieczysław Dutkowski Embankment. Parking is available at the stadium. Access is only from 84 Nakielska Street.
4. ROUTE
The start and finisz are at the KS “Gwiazda” stadium. The etat rotę of the race will be anonse on the wybite https://polskiemaratony.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1107 no later than June 9, 2027. The route is illuminated by park lights, but this does not exempt participants from the requirement to have their own lighting! The elevation gain is approximately 8 m.
5. DISTANCE, TIMING, TIME LIMIT, MEDICAL CARE
The competition will be held over several distances. Finishing the race at a distance other than the one declared is permitted and will not result in disqualification from the competition.
Such a change in distance (SHORTENING/LENGTHENING) must be reported IMMEDIATELY after the decision is made at the timing station.
A competitor who finishes the race at a distance shorter than a half-marathon or after the time limit has expired will not be classified in the results. Only the abbreviation DNF (did not finish) will appear next to their name. The time limit does not apply to the masters category, membership in which is determined solely by the organizer.
The distances will be posted on the website https://polskiemaratony.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1107 no later than June 9, 2027.
Timekeeping – electronic, using chips attached to personalized race bibs.
During the race, all participants must wear their race bibs attached to the front of their race shirt or to the front of the right leg of their shorts. Under penalty of disqualification, it is not permitted to cover the race bib, either partially or entirely.
The race number (which will be personalized upon request) becomes the participant’s property after the race.
The time limit for all distances is 6 hours; in the masters category, there is no time limit. Eligibility for the masters category is determined solely by the organizer.
Medical care will be provided for the duration of the race until 3:00 a.m. on June 13, 2027. THE PHONE NUMBER FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE will be printed on the race number.
Competitors who complete a lap after the time limit has expired (and who do not belong to the masters category) or who begin a lap with no chance of finishing the race within the time limit are required to stop running.
6. PARTICIPATION
Eligibility to participate in the race is limited to individuals who will be at least 18 years old by June 12, 2027 (born before June 12, 2009), who have registered and paid the entry fee by the specified deadline, and who have been verified at the race office.
7. INSURANCE
The organizer has liability insurance. Individual accident insurance covering the duration of the event requires a separate policy purchased by the participant on their own.
8. REGISTRATION
Registrations will be accepted exclusively through time-sport.pl, the provider of electronic registration, payment, and timing services.
As of May 21, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., PAYMENTS AND REGISTRATION will close. The organizer reserves the right to close registration early.
9. ENTRY FEE
The entry fee for the race, regardless of the declared distance, is:
120 PLN – payable by December 8, 2026
150 PLN – payable by February 28, 2027
180 PLN – payable by May 21, 2027
REGISTRATION ON RACE DAY
250 PLN, payable in cash, full race pack (T-shirt—size not guaranteed; race number with or without another participant’s registration; medal). Limited quantity. Race packs will be from surplus stock. Purchase time: 8:20 pm to 8:40 pm.
100 PLN, payable in cash, no race pack, race number only. Purchase hours: 4:00 PM to 8:15 PM
The entry fee must be paid exclusively through the Przelewy24 electronic payment system, accessible during registration.
Payments on race day are accepted in cash only.
The following rule applies: REGISTER AND PAY
Each participant is required to pay the entry fee IMMEDIATELY after registering for the race. Otherwise, their registration will be canceled. In that case, they must register again,
10. REGISTRATION
Mandatory registration of participants and distribution of race kits at the race office on June 12, 2026, will take place
from 4:00 PM to 8:15 PM !!!
You must present a QR code and a photo ID.
Verification must be done in person only—based on a photo ID and a QR code (on your phone or as a printout).
QR codes will be sent via email and text message 48 hours before the race office opens.
Race Office Address: KS Gwiazda Stadium in Bydgoszcz, as specified in Section 3 of the rules.
11. BENEFITS
Participants who complete the race and have paid for their race packet will receive a medal—the same for all distances, namely a marathon medal.
Every participant who registers and pays by May 21, 2027, is guaranteed a race kit at the race office—a commemorative race number and a medal at the finish line. Additional goodies (e.g., a T-shirt) will depend on the organizer’s financial resources.
An ambulance will be on standby during the race. To summon it, call and provide the exact location of the incident; the phone number for the paramedics in the ambulance will be printed on the race number. A mobile paramedic will monitor the race route.
Along the race route, the organizer will provide beverages and food at one refreshment station and will also allow participants to set up their own refreshment stations.
The organizer provides free overnight accommodations after the race until 12:00 PM on June 13, 2027 (Sunday). Location: Club Building at 45 Bronikowskiego Street, 400 meters from the stadium. A sleeping pad and sleeping bag (pillow, blanket) are required. No registration required for overnight stays.
The organizer provides a luggage storage service. Items may be dropped off and picked up only upon presentation of a race number. The organizer is not responsible for items not placed in storage.
Changing rooms, sinks, restrooms, and showers will be available on the grounds of the KS “Gwiazda” stadium.
12. CLASSIFICATIONS
Two classifications will be maintained during the race:
1. The OPEN classification, which will determine the winners of the competition,
2. A separate classification for competitors from Ukraine, including the distance covered, last name, first name, city, club, and year of birth, excluding the race time.
In the OPEN classification, runners who complete the marathon will be ranked first; further ranking will be based on the distance run.
The male and female runners in the OPEN classification who place first in the marathon will receive prizes in kind or cash. Prizes for men and women placing second and third in the OPEN classification will depend on the event’s budget and are not guaranteed.
13. INFORMATION AND CONTACT
Information, results, a photo gallery, and event coverage will be available on the POLSKIE Maratony.PL website.
Contact the organizers:
POLSKIE Maratony.PL – poczta@polskiemaratony.pl – Marathon Director,
“Gwiazda” Sports Club – biuro@gwiazdabydgoszcz.pl
14. FINAL PROVISIONS
Completing the online registration form or the “Registration Form” in paper form at the race office means that the runner has assessed the nature, scope, and degree of risk associated with participating in the marathon or a shorter distance race and has voluntarily decided to assume that risk, competing in the marathon or a shorter distance race solely at their own risk.
By completing the online registration form or the paper “Registration Form” at the race office, the participant fully agrees to the provisions of these rules and regulations and undertakes to comply with them.
By submitting the form, the registrant consents to the processing of their personal data for the organizer’s purposes and consents to the use of their likeness as captured in photographs or video recordings. The registrant grants the organizer a license to use the captured likeness in all fields of use, including, in particular, reproducing the recorded likeness, posting and publishing the recorded likeness on websites, in the press, on posters, and on billboards, and broadcasting the recorded likeness on television and radio.
The organizer reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations, in which case it is required to notify the participants at any time after the opening of registration via an announcement on the POLSKIE Maratony.PL website and on the event’s Facebook page, or to inform the participants before the race,
The interpretation of these rules rests with the Director of the “Bydgoszcz Canal Night Marathon since 2007.”
Andrzej Derfert, Director of the “Bydgoszcz Canal Night Marathon since 2007”
Bydgoszcz, September 2026
