The Birthday Run with Port Gdynia became not only the largest running event in the city's history, but also a symbolic and extremely powerful opening of the celebrations of Gdynia's 100th birthday. For two days – 7 and 8 February – sport, joy and huge emotions brought together nearly 10,000 competitors, who celebrated the city's anniversary in the best possible way: actively and together.
‘The Birthday Run with Port Gdynia showed how powerful the passion and energy that the residents of Gdynia bring to the life of their city can be. Nearly 10,000 people filled the streets, and their enthusiasm became the most beautiful backdrop for this anniversary event. The 100th anniversary of Gdynia is a time to reflect on its history as a city born from the sea, the vision and determination of the people who built it. It is also a celebration of contemporary Gdynia – a space full of life, dynamism and inspiration that constantly delights residents and visitors alike. That is why we are proud to celebrate together today, because Gdynia has always been and remains our joint creation’, emphasises Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia.
From left: Paweł Brutel, Director of the Gdynia Sports Centre, Teresa Bysewska, Chair of the City Council's Sports, Tourism and Recreation Board, Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia, Piotr Gorzeński, President of the Management Board of the Port Gdynia S.A., Tadeusz Szemiot, Chair of the Gdynia City Council, Mariusz Bzdęga, Managing Director for Culture and Citizen Activity (photo: Dawid Linkowski)
The event covered the full spectrum of running emotions – from the first, uncertain steps of the youngest participants to the fierce competition of the elite on the certified main race route.
We are delighted that so many people of all ages – from young children to seniors – chose sport as a way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our city together. This anniversary run has a special symbolism – it shows that Gdynia has been developing for a hundred years thanks to the energy of its residents and continues to inspire people to spend their time actively. I would like to thank everyone for creating the extraordinary atmosphere of the Birthday Run with the Port of Gdynia and invite you to participate in future city events, encourages Tadeusz Szemiot, Chair of the Gdynia City Council.
Day one – joy, debuts and athletic dreams
Saturday's competition began promptly at 10 a.m. with the 1926 Run and a 1926-metre Nordic Walking march. This symbolic distance, referring to the year when Gdynia was granted city rights, became a beautiful bridge connecting the city's history with its sporting present. Andrei Bahdanau and Zuzanna Głombiowska were the first to cross the finish line.
Andrei Bahdanau crosses the finish line first in the 1926 Run (photo: Jacek Klejment)
Running in Gdynia, in the year of its 100th anniversary, is something absolutely unique, said one of the competitors after crossing the finish line.
A moment later, children and young people took over the routes – from the Junior Run, through other categories for young and older children, to the touching and smile-filled Toddler Run for the youngest participants.
Great organisation, a fantastic atmosphere and real sporting excitement – the children felt very important, said the father of a young runner, proudly presenting the medal.
A smiling competitor on the route of the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia (photo: Karol Makurat)
Each start was a separate story – the first start number, the first medal, the first time crossing the finish line – for many young participants, it was their first contact with a real running event, with cheering, an announcer and applause from fans, which carried them to the finish line despite the cold and frost.
Day two – records, competition and unforgettable emotions
Sunday belonged to the adults. At 10 a.m., the Main Run over a distance of 10 km started, along with the relay races and the Nordic Walking march. The new route, certified by the Polish Athletic Association, took the competitors through the most important and historic streets of Gdynia. The start and finish lines were located on Jana Pawła II Avenue, and the final kilometres ran along the Seaside Boulevard, where exhaustion mingled with euphoria, and each step brought the finish line closer.
Start of the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia (photo: Dawid Linkowski)
The elite runners included Maciej Megier, winner of the last year's birthday competition, Adam Głogowski, Polish long-distance running championship medallist, Andrzej Rogiewicz, multiple winner of Gdynia street races, Grzegorz Kujawski, one of the fastest Polish masters, and Szymon Skalski.
Julia Koralewska, one of the strongest runners of the younger generation, Olimpia Breza, a multiple medallist at the Polish Championships in long-distance running, and Katarzyna Pobłocka-Głogowska, a successful competitor from Pomerania who regularly stands on the podium in mass races, also took their places at the starting line.
Runners on the route of the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia (photo: Karol Makurat)
The international character of the competition was emphasised by competitors from Africa: Jebet Valentine, Kipkosgei Kirwa Novestus, Mbatha Ruth Nundu and Waweru John Chege.
Waweru John Chege took the lead from the very first metres, passing the halfway point in 14:51. Behind him ran a group of several competitors, battling not only each other but also the freezing conditions. The audience was treated to top-level sport – dynamic, tactical and full of tension right up to the last few kilometres.
Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia, congratulates Waweru John Chege on his victory in the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia (photo: Dawid Linkowski)
After a solo breakaway in the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia, Kenyan Waweru John Chege triumphed, completing the distance in 30 minutes and 23 seconds. Olimpia Breza won the women's competition, finishing with a time of 33 minutes and 24 seconds. The podium was completed by Mykola Mevsha and Maciej Megier, as well as Valentine Jebet and Maryna Nemchenko. Karol Stiller was the fastest in the Nordic Walking march.
Olimpia Breza wins the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia in the women's classification (photo: Dawid Linkowski)
The official results of the 10 km race will be published after the anti-doping test results have been received.
Small victories, big stories
Although the fans' eyes were often focused on the battle between the leaders, it was not only the best who were fighting for records. Each participant had their own goal and their own personal finish line. For many people, simply completing the 10 km distance was a personal best – for the first time in their lives, despite the cold, fatigue and shaky legs. Along the route, you could see determination, tears of joy and pride in every kilometre completed.
Children on the route of the Birthday Run with Port Gdynia (photo: Jacek Klejment)
It was my first 10 km run ever. It was bitterly cold, but the finish line and the cheering crowd were priceless, says Marcin, a participant in the main race.
From the finish line straight to fond memories
The best competitors received generous cash prizes, and every participant, without exception, received a commemorative medal symbolising their participation in the historic 100th anniversary run in Gdynia. Adult runners found commemorative long-sleeved T-shirts referring to the city's anniversary in their starter packs, while children received commemorative T-shirts that will remind them of this unique event for a long time to come.
A city that runs together
The Birthday Run with Port Gdynia was a strong opening to the anniversary year and one of the most important sporting events of the city's 100th anniversary celebrations. Throughout the weekend, the streets were filled with runners, spectators and good energy, and the joint celebration showed how strongly sport can bring together the residents of Gdynia and visitors.
The Birthday Run with Port Gdynia is a strong start to the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Gdynia being granted city rights. We are delighted to be able to celebrate together with residents, visitors and partners of the city in such a great atmosphere. Sport teaches perseverance, cooperation and shared joy, values that are also very close to our hearts at the Port of Gdynia. We are proud to support this event because it shows the great power and commitment of the residents of Gdynia. I would like to thank all participants for their presence and the great energy that filled the streets of the city. Congratulations to everyone who crossed the finish line today, and see you at the next events of the anniversary year, comments Piotr Gorzeński, President of the Management Board of Morskiego Portu Gdynia S.A., the title partner of the event.
This energy was visible both on the main race route and during the races for children, young people and seniors. The residents of Gdynia – from the youngest to the oldest – showed that they can celebrate actively and collectively. Such a shared experience of the anniversary, full of movement, emotions and mutual encouragement, notes Mariusz Bzdęga, managing director for culture and citizens activity. – The 100th anniversary of Gdynia is above all a celebration of the residents of Gdynia and their energy for action. The Birthday Run became a space for joint activity and an opportunity to celebrate the city as a place where the passions, commitment and movement of its residents create a unique atmosphere. This dynamic was clearly visible along the route – fans actively supported the competitors, and the participants enthusiastically filled the streets of the city with sporting joy. Such moments best show that Gdynia is created by people who, through their activity, shape its character and give it strength, he points out.
A record that makes history
Record attendance, a route full of supporters and thousands of personal stories recorded at the finish line showed that the anniversary run was more than just a sporting competition. It was a weekend of intense emotions, months of preparation and enormous commitment from many people – from the organisers and volunteers to the competitors themselves.
Participants of the 1926 Run at the start (photo: Jacek Klejment)
This Birthday Run with the Port of Gdynia was a historic event – the most numerous run in the history of our city. In total, together with other accompanying activities, 7,674 competitors celebrated Gdynia's birthday, sums up Paweł Brutel, director of the Gdynia Sports Centre. – I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the success of this event – the team for weeks of careful preparation, the participants for their unique energy and joy, and the fans for creating a special atmosphere. It was a competition worthy of Gdynia's centenary – full of passion, community spirit and pride in our city.
The Birthday Run with Port Gdynia proved that Gdynia can celebrate its birthday with flair, heart and sporting passion. However, this is only the beginning of the running year. We would like to invite you to the next events: the Midsummer Night Run, which will take place from 19 to 20 June, and the Gdynia Independence Run on 11 November. Registration for both runs will start soon.
Main photo: Dawid Linkowski