Sztafetowy Maraton Szakala 2026

Sztafetowy Maraton Szakala is a team marathon relay in Arturówek, a forest-and-pond area of Łódź. Instead of one runner covering 42.195 km, seven teammates split the distance: each person runs the same 1,000 m loop six times, making 42 loops in all. Every team must include at least two women, and the field is capped at 60 relay teams. Timing is handled through chips placed in the relay batons, so the baton is both the handoff object and the clocking device. The route circles the central pond and uses a mix of forest dirt roads, asphalt, and granite cobblestones. It is not a certified road course, and it stays open to pedestrians and cyclists, with arrows, tape, and volunteers helping runners through spots where the way may be less obvious. Klub Sportowy Szakale Bałut organizes the race, and recent fields have been close to 50 teams. The front end can be fast, with a winning time of 2:14:33 noted by race director Piotr Bester, but the format also suits club groups and mixed-ability teams. The top six teams receive cups, every participating relay gets a commemorative diploma, teams get a sweet starter pack, and the day ends with a traditional group photo.