A new international running series, the Running Europe Tour, was officially launched today at the Legia Stadium in Warsaw. The project brings together three well-known road races: the Biegnij Warszawo 10K (4 October), the Palermo International Half Marathon (19 October), and – for this first edition – the Zurrieq Half Marathon & 10K by Malta Marathon (16 November).
From next year, the official Maltese race in the series will be the Malta Marathon in February, which will become the first race of the calendar each year.
The launch event was attended by the organisers of the three races: Boguslaw Maminski, a Polish athletics legend and silver medallist in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1983 World Championships; Nando Sorbello, founder of the Running Sicily series; and Joe Micallef, who has organised the Malta Marathon for many years. Marcin Kraszewski, Head of the Sports Department of the City of Warsaw, also took part. Special guests included former top athletes Marcin Lewandowski, European 1500m champion in Barcelona, and Marian Woronin, silver medallist in the 4x100m relay at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The Running Europe Tour will include a special ranking for runners who take part in all three events. Around 25,000 runners are expected in total – including elite athletes, club runners and fun runners. But beyond the numbers, the Tour is about bringing together three very different cities through sport, hospitality and tourism.
At a time of tension in Europe, Warsaw used this occasion to send a strong message of peace and unity, showing how sport can bring people together.
“It’s a great feeling to see Warsaw playing a leading role in this international project,” said Maminski. “After so many years in athletics, I believe running is one of the most powerful ways to connect people and cultures. Starting this journey in Warsaw gives the city a key position in European road running.”
Nando Sorbello said: “The Running Europe Tour is a fantastic way to strengthen the connection between sport and tourism. Palermo offers a course that mixes the sea with the city – it’s not just a sporting challenge, but a beautiful and memorable experience. We’re very proud to be working alongside Warsaw and Malta.”
Joe Micallef added: “The Malta Marathon has always served as a link between the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe. For this first year, we’ve included the Zurrieq Half Marathon & 10K to get things started. From 2026, the Malta Marathon will officially open the Running Europe Tour each year. We’re honoured that Malta will play such an important part in this exciting new journey.”
With 25,000 expected participants and hundreds of international runners, the Running Europe Tour aims to become one of Europe’s top running series – blending sport, spectacle, and travel.
