Bonum Cursum

There are some races that stay with you not only because of the finish line but because of the journey, the challenges, and the unexpected twists that make them unforgettable. One such race for me was the Marathon Metropolii, a unique event that originally involved running from Bydgoszcz to Toruń or vice versa. It was an ambitious and grueling race that tested our endurance, but over time, it has evolved into what is now simply known as the Toruń Marathon. Despite the changes, the memories from that time remain vivid in my mind, especially the one race that will forever be etched in my memory.

I’ll never forget the day I ran the Marathon Metropolii, when the weather decided to greet us with a brutal heatwave. The temperature soared, and we found ourselves running under the intense sun, with only the intermittent sprinklers along the route to offer any relief. We dashed through these makeshift showers, hoping for a moment of coolness, but the heat was relentless, and it made every step feel heavier than the last.

I had asked my parents to join me that day, and I’m so glad I did. Their support was crucial, providing me with water, encouragement, and the strength to keep pushing forward. However, when I crossed the finish line, I felt like I had nothing left to give. My body was drained, and I was in what felt like the worst shape I’d ever been in after a race. It wasn’t until I sat down and started to feel dizzy that I realized how much I had overdone it. After a quick check-up at the medical tent and a couple of IV drips, I began to recover, but it was clear that I had pushed myself too far.

What followed, though, was the real challenge. Just a few days later, I had university exams. The blisters and bruises from the race made it impossible to wear regular shoes, so I showed up to my exams in flip-flops, hoping the professors would understand. I can’t say it was the most comfortable exam experience, but it added a strange twist to my memories of that race—one that mixed physical exhaustion with mental pressure.

Looking back, the Marathon Metropolii, which eventually became the Toruń Marathon, is more than just a race. It’s a symbol of perseverance, of pushing through the toughest of conditions, and of the unpredictable nature of life. The marathon’s transformation from a Bydgoszcz-Toruń relay to a Toruń-based race mirrors how life evolves, often in ways we don’t expect, but the spirit of the challenge remains the same.

That day in Toruń, in all its heat and exhaustion, will always be a part of my story—a reminder of how far we can go when we push ourselves to the limit, even when the journey is tougher than we could have imagined.

PS: Two days later, I had exams at university. I could barely walk, and I couldn’t even put on my regular shoes due to the blisters. It was a curious feeling when the examiners noticed that my dress shoes had cut-out heels to relieve the pain. I’m sure they were wondering what kind of „professional” showed up to an exam looking like that, but hey, that was part of the adventure!