At an official press conference this week, the Ironman team in Poland announced a new race that will take place in Kraków, southern Poland, in August 2025. The event will replace the previous IM 70.3 Gdynia event in the 2025 calendar.
Michał Drelich, CEO of Sport Evolution, the organizer of Ironman events in Poland, “Thank you, Gdynia – welcome, Kraków. Today we can say it officially. Over the past 12 years, Gdynia has written a beautiful page in the history of Polish triathlon and as the organizers of the IM Poland series, we take countless wonderful memories from there.
“However, the time has come for change, and I am incredibly excited about the prospect of organizing the Ironman 70.3 competition in such an extraordinary city as Kraków. It will be a great race, where we expect triathletes from all over the world.”
The change of location from Gdynia to Kraków does not mean a change of date. The first edition of IM 70.3 Kraków will take place on August 1-3, 2025, on the early August weekend previously occupied by Ironman Gdynia and Ironman 70.3 Gdynia.
Łukasz Sęk, Deputy Mayor of the City of Kraków, said “Kraków is know for its art, architecture, cultural events, but also for organizing unique sports events. The calendar, which regularly features European and world-class events, is joined by IM 70.3 Kraków, an event that is part of the largest, international series of triathlon events.
“We will host participants from all over the world in Kraków, and our city will gain international promotion. We will show the different faces of Kraków and we hope that we will be able to build a community around the event similar to the one that was created around the Royal Running Triad races [Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, Cracovia Marathon and Three Mounds Run].”
In 2025, three Ironman events will be held in Poland:
- Ironman 70.3 Warsaw – June 6-8, 2025;
- Ironman 70.3 Kraków – August 1-3, 2025;
- Ironman 70.3 Poznań – September 5-7, 2025.
The Ironman 70.3 Kraków event program will include a place for the Ironkids Kraków competition for children.
A limit of participants in the main 70.3 race will be 2,000 people. Triathletes will be able to take in the scenery of Zakrzówek Reservoir. Then they will set off on a 90km cycling route, most of which will be led outside Krakow, towards Bochnia. There will be a turnaround there, and the city authorities are preparing a special fan zone and a picnic for residents.
Magdalena Łacna, Mayor of Bochnia, said “Bochnia and Krakow are connected by centuries of beautiful history, built on the foundations of salt, which was once called white gold.
“I am glad that in the summer of 2025, an additional bond between our cities will be the exceptional sports competition Ironman 70.3 Krakow. Together with residents and all visitors, we will cheer on the triathletes in the beautiful scenery of the Bochnia Market Square.”
The running stage of the competition is planned for the centre of Krakow. Triathletes can expect a flat course, and the cherry on the cake will be a finish line at the Old Town Square.
Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director EMEA, The IM Group, said “We have an unforgettable 10 years in Gdynia behind us, but today we are truly excited about the prospect of a new race in our European calendar.
“Ironman 70.3 Kraków guarantees exceptional memories not only from the race itself, but also from visiting this incredibly rich cultural and historical city.”