Athletics
World Athletics Africa Running Conference Enters Home Stretch in Lagos
By Kunle Solaja.
The Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 is entering its decisive phase in Lagos, with global athletics leaders intensifying discussions on how to reposition road running and mass participation across the continent.
Held under the theme “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference has drawn administrators, business leaders, federation heads and international experts committed to redefining Africa’s running ecosystem.
The Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for strategic collaboration between government, federations and private sector stakeholders. The President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum, addressed delegates, while Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, sent in remarks via video message, underscoring the global importance of Africa’s growing road running movement.
Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu formally declared the conference open, reaffirming Lagos’ ambition to remain a continental hub for sports tourism and mass participation events.
Global Perspectives and Strategic Conversations
The conference featured a series of high-level presentations. Dr Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultrarunners, opened technical discussions with a presentation on “Road Running in Africa: A Global Perspective.” He was followed by Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Kenya Athletics, who examined the “Growth and Development of Running in Africa.”
Business and commercial sustainability dominated the first panel discussion on “Sponsorship & Marketing: The Business Behind Road Running & Mass Participation in Africa.” The panel featured Fama Abdalla Awale, Adille J. Sumariwalla, Bukola Olopade and Ameachi Okobi of Access Corporation, moderated by Chris Robb of Mass Participation World.
Innocent Ike, Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holding PLC, delivered a talk on creating sustainable public engagement through road running, while former marathon world record holder and IOC Member Paul Tergat spoke on changing mindsets and building active communities across Africa.
Bernard Bwalya, President of Zambia Athletics, addressed grassroots integration in his presentation titled “Federation Meets Community for Grassroots Development.”
Shaping the Future of African Running
A second panel session focused on transforming running culture and expanding participation, featuring Yetunde Olopade of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, John Peter of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, Tayo Popoola of the Lagos Women Run, and Elias Ng’andu Mpondela, moderated by Nadeem Khan.
Chris Robb later outlined a forward-looking strategy in his presentation on “Mass Participation Vision 2050,” while Kristian Midtgaard of Roster Athletics highlighted the growing role of digitalisation in race organisation and athlete engagement.
Tourism and economic impact also came under review, with Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside Aku Aghazu, Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, examining the effects of road running on tourism development.
The final panel on the “Future of Road Running in Africa” brought together Aku Aghazu, Alessio Punzi of World Athletics, TCHANILE-SALIFOU Falilatou of Togolese Athletics and Paul Tergat, again moderated by Nadeem Khan.
Chief Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, delivered the vote of thanks, while Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, formally declared the conference closed.
The conference proceedings are being streamed live by Style Digital Production, allowing stakeholders across the continent and beyond to follow deliberations expected to influence the next phase of road running development in Africa. The YouTube channel for the livestreaming is: https://youtube.com/@styledigitalproduction-hq7zg?si=dZZHW70eZGWHxTi2
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 got underway in Lagos with a strong technical focus, as global and African sports leaders began deliberations on how to reshape road running and strengthen mass participation structures across the continent.
The opening morning session featured an intensive workshop centred on performance standards, accurate race measurement and the credibility of road races — key pillars identified as essential to aligning African events with international best practices.
Renowned athletics expert Norrie Williamson led discussions on “Technical Performance (Accurate Timing/Distance and Race Credibility Through Officiating),” emphasising the importance of certified course measurement, trained officials and transparent results systems in building trust among athletes and stakeholders.
David Katz, founder of Finish Line, reinforced the message by highlighting the role of modern timing technology and data integrity in ensuring that African races meet global standards and gain international recognition.
Attention then shifted to the social dimension of road running, with former Zambia Athletics President Elias Ng’andu delivering a presentation on “Community Empowerment: Sustainable Community Partnership Equals Race Success.” He stressed that long-term growth of road racing in Africa depends on strong engagement with local communities, volunteers and public institutions.
Nigeria’s Waziri Mainasara also addressed delegates on the same theme, underlining how inclusive planning, urban development partnerships and grassroots participation can transform races into engines of social and economic impact.
The morning’s deliberations set a collaborative tone for the two-day conference, which has brought together administrators, race organisers, athletes, sponsors, broadcasters and policymakers to chart a sustainable future for road running in Africa.
WAARC 2026 continues with further sessions on anti-doping, media strategy and broadcasting, before culminating in activities leading into the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, one of Africa’s leading road races.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Lagos today takes centre stage in continental athletics as the Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 opens with a strong gathering of global and African sports leaders committed to reshaping road running across the continent.
The two-day conference, scheduled for February 12–13, serves as a prelude to Saturday’s 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and is designed to deepen conversations around mass participation, race credibility and international best practices.
Organised in collaboration with World Athletics, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the conference carries the theme: “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community.”
Global and Continental Voices
Among the prominent figures expected to address delegates are Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics; Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum, President of the CAA; Adille J. Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics; and Alessio Punzi, Head of Running at World Athletics.
They are joined by respected names in global distance running, including former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat and Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultrarunners.
Nigeria’s sports leadership is also playing a visible role, with Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission; Chief Tony Okowa, President of the AFN; Aku Aghazu, AFN Vice President and Head of the Road Running Commission; Yetunde Olopade, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management and chief organiser of the Lagos City Marathon; and Tayo Popoola, General Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, all featuring in the sessions.
Business and broadcast stakeholders are equally represented, including Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Holdings, Innocent C. Ike of Access Corporation, Chichi Nwoko of Team 33 Production, and Felix Awogu of SuperSport Nigeria.
Technical Sessions and Workshops
Proceedings began this morning with accreditation and a technical workshop focusing on performance standards, accurate timing and race credibility. Experts including Norrie Williamson, David Katz and Thorsten Griesbach are leading discussions on measurement integrity and officiating standards, moderated by Chris Robb of Mass Participation World.
Other sessions scheduled for today include panels on sustainable community partnerships, anti-doping in label road races delivered by the Athletics Integrity Unit, media strategies for global reach through local platforms, and broadcasting techniques aimed at bringing road races to life for television audiences.
Delegates will also participate in networking sessions and a welcome dinner this evening, fostering collaboration between administrators, sponsors, broadcasters and race organisers.
Building Toward the Marathon
The conference seamlessly transitions into Saturday’s 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Nigeria’s first World Athletics Gold Label road race. Since its inception in 2016, the event has grown into one of Africa’s premier long-distance races, attracting elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners while significantly boosting sports tourism and healthy living initiatives.
With WAARC 2026 and the marathon holding back-to-back, Lagos is positioning itself as a continental hub for strategic dialogue and innovation in road running.
As discussions begin today, stakeholders across Africa will be looking to Lagos not just for competition on the streets, but for ideas and decisions that could shape the future of running and mass participation throughout the continent.
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Athletics
Continental Running Stakeholders Converge in Nigeria as Global Athletics Leaders Storm Lagos for Africa Running Summit
Nigeria will take centre stage in continental road running this week as Lagos hosts the Africa Running Conference 2026, a two-day gathering aimed at redefining the future of running and mass participation sports across Africa.
The event, organised under the auspices of World Athletics in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, will hold on Thursday, February 12 (workshops) and Friday, February 13 (main conference), ahead of the 2026 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for February 14.
With the theme, “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference is expected to draw key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including administrators, race organisers, corporate sponsors and global athletics leaders.
A distinguished lineup of speakers has been confirmed, headlined by Kenyan legend Paul Tergat, a former marathon world record holder and ambassador of the Africa Running Conference. Others include Alessio Punzi, Head of Running at World Athletics; Fatma Abdal Amale, Vice President of Kenya Athletics; and Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Athletics Kenya.
Nigeria will also be strongly represented at the event, with Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade; Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Managing Director/CEO of Premium Trust Bank Plc, Dr Emmanuel Efe Emienim; and General Coordinator of the Lagos Marathon, Tayo Popoola, all scheduled to speak.
Also on the programme are Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners, and Chris Robb, Founder and CEO of RunThrough and Mass Participation World.
Organisers say the conference will feature technical workshops, high-level panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on strengthening race organisation, expanding grassroots participation and aligning African road running with global best practices.
With Lagos already established as a major marathon destination in Africa, courtesy of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Africa Running Conference 2026 is expected to consolidate Nigeria’s leadership role in the development of mass participation sports on the continent.
Stakeholders believe the gathering will serve as a landmark platform for shaping the next phase of running development in Africa, fostering sustainability, innovation and stronger global integration for the sport.
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