Kenyan athletes once again underlined their dominance in global distance running at the 2026 Boston Marathon, with both race winners capturing significant prize money and performance-based incentives.

Debswana Diamond Company has been confirmed as the title sponsor of the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026, committing P16 million ($1.17 million) to the event scheduled for May 2–3 at the Botswana National Stadium.

The deal marks On’s entry into South Africa’s track and field market, as it builds presence across African athletics.

This sponsorship marks a strategic alignment with one of East Africa's leading endurance events.

Swiss performance brand On has signed 18-year-old Kenyan middle-distance and steeplechase athlete Mercy Chepngeno to a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreement, marking a notable commercial milestone for one of East Africa's most promising junior prospects.

The 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has reinforced Lagos' position as one of Africa's most commercially competitive road races. With $50,000 awarded to each winner, the elite 42km race once again attracted East Africa's deepest marathon talent pool - delivering not just fast times, but a clear direction about the growing economics of long-distance running across the continent.

Soufiane El Bakkali, one of the most dominant distance runners. El Bakkali famously disrupted decades of Kenyan dominance by winning Olympic gold in the 3,000m steeplechase at Tokyo 2020.