This was my first time in Poland. I chose the Warsaw Marathon after being unsucessful in the Berlin marathon ballot for 2017. I did Berlin in 2015 so was relieved that I was able to run in another European city. 

Warsaw is a cheap and easy long weekend job and my stay there was from Friday to Monday. 

I got to my hotel around midday Friday, left my bags and took an Uber to the expo. The expo was in a sport hall with 20-30 exhibitors selling their products/promoting other races. Bib collection took about 5-10 minutes and this race uses ChampionChips for timing which which has to be returned at the finish area. I bought some official merchandise at the expo and headed to the central area to have a wander about. 

Warsaw is a small city and getting around is extremely easy by tram, metro, train or Uber. I didn't want to do too much of walking on Saturday so just went out in the morning to the Old Town and headed back to my hotel after lunch. 

The weather on Sunday was perfect running weather. I left my hotel at 7:00 and took the tram to Three Crosses Square where the race started from. It was an easy 20 minute tram ride and then a short walk to the baggage area. There was light rain at that time so I stood at the entrance to a church which was sheltered, together with other runners. The start area was not extremely busy as the total field was around 5000 and there was enough room for everyone. At around half an hour to go I headed to the portaloo and then dropped of my bag at the baggage van arranged by DPD which would then be taken to the finish area. I headed to the my start pen. These were open to everyone and not restricted to runners only but they didn't feel overcrowded. There was a warm up 15 minutes before. 

The marathon route was well supported and went through the central area, residential areas, Lazienki Park, across the river and through the other side of the city then back. The resfreshment stations were well stocked with water, powerade, gels, dextro. It wasn't a hot day so didn't need to stop that often for water. When returning via the second bridge you could see the finish line which would be another 10km before you reached it. Those last 10km where via another urban residential part of town which was well supported except for 38-39km which was part of the highway closed to traffic that day. 

The atmosphere at the finish straight was incredible, with cheerleaders and 'air hostesses' cheering runners on - LOT Polish Airlines was one of the sponsors so the organisers had 'cabin crew' at the finish straight preparing runners for 'landing'. 

At the finish line I collected my medal, a banana, water, had my picture taken, returned the ChampionChip and and headed to collect my bag. The finish was in front of Multimedia Fountain Park where the finish area was and included food stalls, portaloos, massages and help points.

This was the 39th running of the Warsaw marathon and I highly recommend it to everyone. As it takes place on the same day as Berlin, most people would opt for Berlin, but it is a fantastic alternative, well organised, great course, support and an amazing city.