Wed 11 March 2026 – World Athletics Webinar: Celebrating Women in Running – ALESSIO PUNZI

Dear race directors, athletes’ representatives, Member Federations and colleagues across the running industry,

On the week that follows International Women’s Day, we are pleased to bring back our special “Celebrating Women in Running” edition of the World Athletics Road Race Webinar Series, delivered in collaboration with Mass Participation World and curated by Natacha Manchado and Chris Robb.

We’ll honour more of the women who are shaping the sport and the industry, and look at some best-in-class examples of programmes specifically designed to tear down any barriers to gender equality left in distance running.

Join us on Tuesday 11 March at:
8am New York – 12pm London – 1pm CET – 8pm Singapore

PROGRAMME
(all times CET and approximate)

1:05pm – DEI is Still Key. With Kiera Smalls (Executive Director, RIDC – Running Industry Diversity Coalition), Emily Glasser (CEO, Achilles International), Martha Lopez (Runner, Achilles International), in conversation with industry legend and leader extraordinaire Mary Wittenberg. Interpreter: Rodriguez Villalobos.

1:30pm – Juggling on the Run: Racing, Parenting and Building a Global Business. Kelly McLay (Funder & CEO, FIT – Fitness International Travel) in conversation with Chris Robb

1:55pm – Beating Cancer, Conquering my First 42K. With Raquel Castanharo (Marathoner, breast cancer patient, physiotherapist, and Founder of “Viva Corrida”)

2:10pm – My Journey on and off the Road. With Paula Radcliffe (former world marathon record holder and leading voice in the sport)

2:35pm – A New Generation of Female African Leaders for the Sport. Aku Aghazu (Vice-President & Head of Road Running Commission, Athletic Federation of Nigeria), in conversation with Khadijah Suleman (Marketing Specialist, former NCAA D1 sprinter)

2:50pm – What’s Shaping the Modern Female Running Identity? With Dr Sonia Haboub (Founder & CEO, Global Race Connect and TheGlobeRunnerScholar) in conversation with Ese Taga (Content Creator, Fit Trackers Run Club). Moderated by Natacha Manchado (Running Project Manager, World Athletics)

3:15pm – Unconventional Female Leadership in the Sport: Measuring Marathon Routes in the World’s Busiest Cities, with Lucija Kolic, PhD (WA Grade-A Measurer and Programme Administrator), in conversation with me.

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Even if you can’t join live, we suggest you sign up to be notified when the session’s recording becomes available (all previous webinars are here)

We look forward to seeing you online on Wednesday,

Alessio