In a remarkable display of gratitude and solidarity, around 20 Belarusian immigrants residing in Warsaw embarked on an extraordinary relay run this past weekend, creating a GPS-mapped track that traced the outline of Poland around the capital. With each runner handing off a GPS watch, they collectively covered over 435 km in 44 hours, marking both the commemoration of Polish Independence Day and a heartfelt “thank you” to their adopted home.

The event, organised by the running community of Run Wawa Run, showed both physical endurance and symbolic depth. The participants navigated everything from paved roads to forest trails, swampy fields and unmarked paths. 

Runners encountered wildlife such as moose and deer, and even the threat of stray dogs chasing the pack in a setting that alternately felt serene and wild.

For these Belarusian runners, the act was more than a sporting challenge. Many had fled Belarus in recent years amid political unrest and now count Poland as a “second home”.

 Their gesture was a literal map-drawing of Poland on the earth was their way of saying, “Thank you for letting us build a life here.”

Organisers emphasise the inclusive nature of the event: the club now includes Ukrainians alongside Belarusians, training and competing together as part of a wider community of people who have found refuge and purpose here. 

They hope this relay marks the beginning of an annual tradition and invite Polish runners to join in future editions. The mapped route is already available on Strava under “Bieg Niepodległości”.

SourceL Belasat.pl

Photo: Instagram Run_wawa_run_by

Tomasz Modrzejewski