By Peter Omopo
The Africa Running Conference 2026 commenced on Thursday in Lagos with a series of technical sessions focused on improving road running standards and strengthening the continent’s growing race circuit.
The opening workshop, held at the Lavender Hall of Eko Hotel, brought together race organisers, athletics administrators, broadcasters and international stakeholders for discussions on governance, integrity and commercial development in African road racing.
Activities began with participant accreditation before the first technical session, which centred on performance standards and race credibility.
Experts including Norrie Williamson, David Katz and Thorsten Griesbach examined the importance of accurate course measurement, timing systems and officiating standards in maintaining global recognition for African races. The session was moderated by Chris Robb.
According to a statement issued by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media in the Office of the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the speakers emphasised that adherence to international benchmarks is crucial for attracting elite athletes, sponsors and global certification.
Following a networking break, discussions shifted to community engagement and sustainability. Former Zambia Athletics President Elias Ng’andu Mpondela and UrbanBetter’s Waziri Mainasara led conversations on fostering host-community ownership and building long-term partnerships to ensure the success of races beyond event day.
Participants later attended a session on anti-doping compliance in label road races. Andrea De Mas of the Athletics Integrity Unit stressed the need for strict adherence to clean sport regulations to safeguard credibility and athlete welfare.
Media visibility and global outreach also featured prominently. Chris Robb, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mass Participation World, outlined strategies for leveraging local media platforms to increase international awareness of African road races.
The workshop concluded with a session on broadcast production and commercial storytelling. Chichi Nwoko, Chief Executive Officer of Team 33, alongside Felix Awogu, General Manager of SuperSports Nigeria, highlighted the role of high-quality live coverage, compelling narratives and strategic packaging in enhancing the commercial value of road racing events.
Entrepreneur and sports enthusiast Aisha Achimogu was also in attendance, drawing attention during the closing segment of the workshop.
With participants drawn from across the continent and beyond, the opening day set the stage for the main conference, which continues on Friday.
