Kozminski University has entered into a partnership with the organizer of Łemkowyna Trail – one of the most recognizable mountain running events in Poland. The collaboration brings together sport, education, and community, with a strong connection to the unique region of the Low Beskids, which has long been at the heart of the event.
The cooperation agreement was signed by the Rector of Kozminski University, Professor Grzegorz Mazurek, and Krzysztof Gajdziński, Race Director. At its core is Łemkowyna Trail – the flagship and most iconic event in the organizer’s portfolio – but the partnership also extends to a broader range of initiatives built around a community engaged in sport and outdoor activity, including the Wigry Marathon in the Suwałki region and the Warsaw Gravel Series cycling races.
For years, Łemkowyna Trail has attracted runners not only with the scale of the sporting challenge but also with its unique setting. The routes run through the Low Beskids, largely along the Main Beskid Trail. The organizer consistently presents the region as authentic, peaceful, and deeply rooted in nature. It is a space associated with silence, landscape, Lemko heritage, wooden sacred architecture, and valuable natural areas.
“From the very beginning, Łemkowyna Trail has been more than just a race. It is an invitation to experience the Low Beskids – a truly unique region with its landscape, history, local character, and atmosphere. I am very pleased that through our collaboration with Kozminski University we can combine the world of sport with education and community engagement, and confront our experience with scientific evaluation tools. This partnership will create real value – both for event participants and for the region itself,” emphasizes Krzysztof Gajdziński, Race Director.
The cooperation goes far beyond brand presence at a sporting event. Kozminski University will prepare a report on the impact of Łemkowyna Trail, analyzing its significance from social, image-related, and local economic perspectives. The University’s researchers already have experience in such projects. In 2025, together with the “Maraton Warszawski” Foundation, they developed a report on the economic impact of the Warsaw Marathon and Warsaw Half Marathon on the capital, demonstrating the substantial value that running events bring to cities and their residents.
The University community will also gain a unique opportunity to participate in events organized by the partner. At the same time, the Łemkowyna Trail team will contribute substantively to the postgraduate program “Sports Management,” bringing practical experience in building a strong, recognizable sports brand and an engaged community around events.
“Running gives energy, teaches consistency, and shows how much can be achieved through regular effort. I am delighted about this partnership with Łemkowyna Trail – an event that combines sporting ambition with an authentic sense of place. At Kozminski University, we have an active and engaged community, including the thriving Kozminski Runners Club, so this collaboration is a natural fit. We are bringing together activity, relationships, and values that are important to us,” says Professor Grzegorz Mazurek, Rector of Kozminski University.
The partnership is part of the University’s broader commitment to initiatives promoting physical activity, collaboration, and experience-based development. It is another example of cooperation with a project that builds a strong brand not only around sports competition but also around emotions, place, and people. Kozminski University has long supported initiatives that combine personal development, community energy, and active lifestyles.
