Global and African Sports Leaders Gather in Lagos for Africa Running Conference
Nigeria is set to take centre stage in African athletics as Lagos prepares to host the Africa Running Conference 2026, a landmark gathering that will redefine the future of road running and mass participation sports across the continent.
Organized by World Athletics in partnership with the National Sports Commission, the two-day event will take place on February 12 and 13, ahead of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on February 14.
With the theme ‘Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,’ the conference will convene leading figures from global and African athletics, sports governance, finance, and mass participation platforms.
Discussions will focus on sustainability, innovation, and growth in road running, while technical workshops and high-level panels will provide practical insights into race organization and grassroots development.
Among the distinguished speakers are Dr. Paul Tergat, former marathon world record holder and Africa Running Conference Ambassador; 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.
Nigerian representation will be led by Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission, alongside corporate leaders such as Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc and Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emienim of Premium Trust Bank Plc.
Other notable voices include Tayo Popoola, General Coordinator of the Lagos Marathon; Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners; and Chris Robb, CEO of RunThrough and Mass Participation World.
With stakeholders from across Africa and beyond expected to attend, the Africa Running Conference 2026 promises to be a defining platform for shaping the next phase of running development on the continent, aligning African road running with global best practices and strengthening its role in community building and sports innovation.
