Ambassadors
Dr. Paul Tergat
Kenya
Dr. Paul Tergat is one of the greatest distance runners in the history of athletics and a global icon of endurance, discipline and excellence. A five-time World Cross Country Champion and former marathon world record holder, he became the first man to run the marathon under 2 hours and 5 minutes with his historic2:04:55 performance at the 2003 Berlin Marathon.
A two-time Olympic silver medalist and multiple-time World Championship medalist, Dr. Tergat helped shape Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running on the global stage. He still holds Kenya’s national record in the 10,000 metres, further cementing his place among the country’s greatest athletes. Beyond competition, he has continued to serve sport through leadership and advocacy, including as the immediate former President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and as a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Through his work in youth empowerment, environmental conservation and sports diplomacy, including through the Sports Personality of the Year Awards and the Paul Tergat Foundation, Dr.Tergat remains a powerful symbol of African excellence and the transformative power of sport.
Mrs. Catherine Ndereba
Kenya
Catherine Ndereba, affectionately known around the world as“Catherine the Great,” is one of the most celebrated female marathon runners of all time. A two-time World Marathon Champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist, she became the first woman to break the 2 hour 19 minute barrier in the marathon.
Her extraordinary career includes victories at the Boston and Chicago Marathons. She became the first Kenyan and African woman to win the Boston Marathon four times and was named Road Runner of the Year four times by Runner’s World Magazine.
Beyond athletics, Catherine has dedicated herself to mentoring young athletes and championing community initiatives that use sport as a tool for hope and opportunity. She currently serves Kenya as an Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons within the Kenya Prisons Service, where she supports sports development and mentorship programs for young athletes. She remains one of Kenya’s most respected sporting ambassadors and a trailblazer for women in global athletics.
Mr. Hendrick Ramaala
South Africa
Hendrick Ramaala is one of South Africa’s most accomplished long-distance runners and a respected figure in international road running. A former New York City Marathon champion and former national half marathon record holder, he built a distinguished career defined by longevity, consistency and excellence at the highest level of competition.
Ramaala represented South Africa at multiple Olympic Games and World Championships, proudly carrying the nation’s flag across the global athletics stage. His achievements helped elevate South African distance running and inspired countless young athletes across the continent.
Today, he continues to contribute to the growth of athletics through mentorship and community development initiatives, including through the Hendrick Ramaala Sports Foundation, which focuses on empowering and nurturing young athletes through sport.
Ms. Prudence Sekgodiso
South Africa
Prudence Sekgodiso is one of South Africa’s brightest middle-distance stars and a rising force in global athletics. Known for her fearless racing style and exceptional speed, she has represented South Africa on major international stages, earning recognition as one of the continent’s most exciting young talents.
Specialising in the 800 metres, Prudence has consistently demonstrated determination, composure and competitive excellence against the world’s best athletes. Her biggest achievement to date came in 2025, when she claimed the women’s 800 metres world title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, cementing her place among the elite middle-distance runners in the world.
Her journey reflects the promise of a new generation of African athletes redefining the future of track and field. Beyond the track, she represents resilience, ambition and inspiration for young people across Africa pursuing their dreams through sport.