Poland Business Run 2024 – summary of the 13th edition
41,610 runners, over 1,700 involved companies from all over Poland and help for 150 people with mobility disabilities, amputees and post-mastectomy. This is how the 13th edition of the largest business relay, Poland Business Run, which took place on September 8 in Cracow and virtually from anywhere in the world, looks in numbers. This year's edition of the run was record-breaking in terms of the number of participants, partners and sponsors, volunteers, attractions in the running town in Jordan Park in Cracow, the number of children taking part in PBR Kids, and the scale of help.
Poland Business Run 2024, like last year, took place on-site in Cracow and in a virtual formula with an application. Each runner in the 5-person relay race covered their distance for a charitable cause – to help people with mobility disabilities and after mastectomy, who need funding to buy wheelchairs, prostheses, orthopedic equipment, as well as rehabilitation or psychological help.
Sport is health and… helping
For 12 years, Poland Business Run has attracted thousands of participants from all over the world, from global organizations and corporations, as well as smaller companies. The Poland Business Run Foundation, the main organizer of the competition, can note another success under its belt. This year, as many as 41,610 people signed up for the charity business relay race, which is 5,000 more than last year. On the first day, there were 14,000 competitors on the starting list, while Real packages sold out in 17 minutes.
The whole world is running for one purpose
13,000 runners met in Cracow, where, as part of the traditional relay race and in two rounds – at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm - passed the baton to each other in the transition zone, competing with other competitors. Each team member had to run the same 3.6 km lap around Błonia. The start and finish line as well as the transition zone were located at 3 Maja Avenue near the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium.
The remaining 28,000 participants started virtually with the application and throughout Sunday they could be found all over Poland, but also in other countries, such as Canada, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Belgium, Singapore and Lithuania. They had to cover a distance of 4 km. This route could be covered by running or walking, as well as with a stroller, Nordic walking poles, on a treadmill or while walking a dog.
In the capital of Małopolska, runners integrated in the picnic zone in Jordan Park, where the organizers and sponsors had prepared many attractions, including a chillout zone, silent disco on bikes, food trucks, bike blenders, massages, workshops, photo booths, treadmills, games and competitions with prizes. There were also races for children - PBR Kids. 600 youngest runners took part in 3 age categories and 3 distances, and each of them received a commemorative medal and T-shirt. The funds from the entry fees from PBR Kids were entirely allocated to support the young beneficiary of the Foundation - 5-year-old Aleksander from Cracow, who will receive his first prosthesis.
Qczaj (Daniel Kuczaj - popular trainer and influencer) also appeared in Cracow. He took part in the race with his team, which was selected in the competition, and also led one of the warm-ups, giving energy and motivation to run to all competitors and encouraging them to do good movements for themselves or for others.
Who is all this for?
The funds collected from entry fees have already allowed for help for 120 people after amputations and other problems in the musculoskeletal system and after mastectomy, and further applications from beneficiaries are being considered. So far, 22 prosthetic limbs, 14 wheelchairs or other equipment and 92 rehabilitation sessions after amputation and mastectomy have been co-financed. The Poland Business Run Foundation wants to provide help to 150 people by the end of the year.
Among the beneficiaries of the Poland Business Run 2024 is 34-year-old Katarzyna from Cracow, who was born without a right hand. Now she has a chance to receive her first prosthesis - a specialist, bionic one, integrated with her nervous system. This solution restores full functionality of the limb and allows her to control it using her own muscles and nerves. The prosthesis will allow her to devote herself to supporting and inspiring others.
Help More
People who did not take part in the competition could also help those in need. As part of the Help More campaign, you could make a BLIK call to the Foundation's phone number: 519 815 815. Thanks to this, an additional PLN 234,043 was collected, which will help purchase equipment and rehabilitation for more people. The campaign does not end on the day of the race, because payments can be made throughout the year.
The Strategic Sponsors of the race are UBS, Standard Chartered and Enea. The City of Craców is the partner of the competition. The next edition of the Poland Business Run will be in September 2025.
