Cyclist dies, another goes missing during Polish marathon amid record heat

A fatal finish

Sunday’s LOTTO Poland Bike Marathon in Marki ended in tragedy when two participants failed to reach the finish line. The event, the second stage of the Wołomin District Cycling Triad, drew riders onto a technical forest course on a day when temperatures across Poland shattered records.

One of the missing cyclists, a 30-year-old member of the Catena Wyszków club, was discovered about 200 metres off the marked route near the finish area. Despite immediate medical intervention, he died at the scene. Organisers later named him as Michał, expressing their condolences on social media.

“With great sadness we announce the death of Michał, a Catena Wyszków rider who participated in today’s race in Marki. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”

The missing veteran

The second missing rider is 71-year-old Kazimierz Niewiarowski from Przasnysz, a multiple MTB race winner and vastly experienced competitor. He had entered the MINI distance of 28 kilometres and was last seen at the 18–19 km mark, roughly 10 kilometres before the finish. A later organiser update placed the final sighting about 700 metres before the cycling-town zone, or roughly 1,600 metres from the finish line.

“It is unbelievable that we still haven’t found any trace of him.”

Organisers cannot rule out that Niewiarowski left the official route at some point during the race. His photograph, taken earlier in the event, has been circulated among participants, and a contact number for race director Grzegorz Wajs was made public.

Heatwave blankets Poland

Sunday was the hottest day in Polish recorded history, with Słubice reaching 40.5°C. The entire country was under level‑II and level‑III heat alerts. Although much of the Marki course ran through shaded forest, organisers described the conditions on the ground as unbearable. Water curtains and drinking points were in place, but riders still faced what one source called a superhuman effort in the heat.

“An attractive, technical route with a spectacular climb just before the finish.”

Search operations continue

Police received the missing-persons report around 17:00 on Sunday from the vicinity of the finish area on Grunwaldzka Street. Since then, an extensive search has been underway involving police, fire brigades, military personnel, medics, tracking dogs, drones, and volunteer helpers. The operation covers about 28 kilometres of race route and adjacent woodland totalling some 56 hectares.

As of Monday morning, Niewiarowski had still not been found. The Wołomin District Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the death of the 30-year-old rider. The Poland Bike Marathon series continues next weekend in Ossów, but for now all attention remains on the ongoing search in the forests of Marki.