Dobromir Karamarinov

Dobromir Karamarinov, from Bulgaria, was re-elected as the European Athletics President on 22 April 2023 at the 28th European Athletics Congress in Belgrade, Serbia.

Karamarinov had been the European Athletics Interim President following the tragic death of his predecessor Svein Arne Hansen on 20 June 2020 - having originally assumed the presidential role and duties following Hansen's stroke in March 2020 which sadly left the latter incapacitated - and was then elected as European Athletics President at the 27th Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland in October 2021.

Born on 26 March 1958, Karamarinov was first elected to the European Athletics Council in 2007. After two terms as a Council Member, he was elected as First Vice President in 2015.

In his role as the European Athletics President, Karamarinov also has a place on the World Athletics Council.

Karamarinov was formerly an athletics coach and has a postgraduate degree in sports management.

He has also been the President of the Bulgarian Athletics Federation since 2004 and was the President of the Balkan Athletics Federation from 2010-2021.

In addition to being a member of various European Athletics and World Athletics Commissions and Advisory Groups, Karamarinov was also the head of the Team Europe delegation at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 IAAF Continental Cups.

Sofia Sakorafa

Sofia Sakorafa is a prominent personality in Hellenic sports and politics, with a distinguished career as both an athlete and a politician. She currently serves as the President of SEGAS, the leading Athletics Federation in Greece.

Her election as President of SEGAS in 2021 marked the beginning of a new era for the Federation, as she became the first woman to hold this position. During her mandate, she focused on supporting athletes, developing Greek athletics, and enhancing infrastructure and programs for young athletes. She aims to strengthen the sports movement and to keep Greece among the top bodies internationally.

Athletic Career:
Born in 1957 in Trikala, Sofia Sakorafa was one of the top javelin throwers of her time. During her athletic career, she achieved significant distinctions, including a World Record in Women’s Javelin on September 26, 1982, with a throw of 74.20 meters, making her the first woman to surpass 70 meters.
She participated in numerous international competitions, representing Greece in the Olympic Games and European Championships. Her career made her one of the most important figures in Greek athletics, inspiring future generations of athletes.

Political Career:
After her athletic career, Mrs. Sakorafa entered politics. She has served as a member and also as Vice – President of the Hellenic Parliament and a Member of the European Parliament between the years 2012 - 2023 . As a politician, she focused on issues of social justice, athletes' and youth rights, as well as matters concerning national sovereignty and independence.

Raúl Chapado

Raúl is currently the President of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, Vice President of World Athletics and member of the European Athletics Executive Board. He has worked internationally in strategic consulting for the management and global development of sports for sports organisations, bids, and event organisation, as well as for public and private entities. He is currently a member of the Board of ADESP (Spanish Sports Association) and President of the Royal Spanish Olympic Academy.

With 26 years of professional experience in the national and international sports sector, his areas of expertise include strategic management of sports organisations, sports event organisation, and planning and development of sports facilities. Additionally, he has extensive knowledge and experience working with sports entities and organisations worldwide, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), national and international federations and bodies, as well as athletes.

But undoubtedly, for Chapado, the most fascinating stage of his life was the 18 years as a high-level athlete, during which he became Spanish Champion 15 times (9 outdoor and 6 indoor), and held the Spanish record in triple jump (indoor) for 17 years.

Marko Vasic

Marko Vasic has 18 years of experience in Running and Athletics, initially as an Athlete Representative and Running events consultant, then he joined European Athletics as Head of Development, where among other programs and projects he also steered the creation, development and delivery of the European Running Business Conference, as well in recent years creation of the European Championships on Road and Off-Road, Road Race Measurement Course, Run Europe brand and platform etc. In recent years he served as the Running Unit Director at European Athletics where he crafted and executed a comprehensive running strategy, integrating the values of the running movement with European Athletics' activities to strengthen their role in the running industry across Europe. Marko's management skills were crucial in leading these initiatives and fostering collaboration and innovation within the sector. Currently, Marko is the Director at Alps & Mediterranean Group SA (AMG SA) and serves as European Athletics Running Unit Responsible. In AMG SA he leverages sports as a catalyst for sustainable economic and social change. His strategic management and project execution skills ensure that projects meet and exceed clients' expectations for excellence and impact. European Athletics entrusted Marko and AMG to lead and deliver its Running Portfolio including the European Running Championships, European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships, European Running Business Conference, and Mass 10Km race at the European Championships as well as to develop the Run Europe Brand & Platform for European Athletics.

Sotiris Kyranakos

PhD Candidate in Economics
CEO of the Greek Athletics Federation
Post Graduate Title in Financial & Regional Development at Panteion University – Fac. of Economy & Public Administration
Strategic Planning Manager of the Hellenic Olympic Winners (2020-24)
Association Member of the Hellenic Economic Chamber
Speaker in International Conferences focusing on special forms of sports tourism and aiming to present sport activities as one of the main factors for the development of regional economies.

Krystyna Kulisz

Krystyna has worked with international sports organisations for the past several years helping them hone in their operational excellence, processes and governance. Advising on the use of digital tools and services to make the job of running a sport easier, more efficient and profitable.

Krystyna has worked in the field of technology for almost a decade, spanning the experience of e-commerce start-ups, digital agencies and software development studios.

Hugh Brasher

Hugh Brasher was appointed CEO of London Marathon Events (LME) in June 2024, having been the Event Director since 2012. Hugh’s father Chris Brasher was a co-founder of the London Marathon (and pacer to Sir Roger Bannister in the first sub 4 minute mile) and Hugh has worked at the event since 1981.

LME organises a dozen running events in the UK, including the TCS London Marathon, Brighton Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon and The Big Half. The 2024 TCS London Marathon had more than 53,000 finishers and raised £73.5 million for good causes, making it the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event. The company’s vision is inspiring activity and many of LME’s events have side events over shorter distances for children and families, notably the TCS Mini London Marathon which had 13,000 participants in 2024.

Hugh is part of the senior management team of Athletic Ventures (AV), a joint venture between UK Athletics, The Great Run Company and London Marathon Events. AV organises major track and field events in the UK, including the annual London Diamond League and the 2026 European Athletics Championships, as well as selling the sport’s sponsorship rights. He is a Director on the Boards of Run 4 Wales, the organiser of the Cardiff Half Marathon, and Maverick Race, the UK’s largest trail running company.

Prior to joining LME Hugh ran the Sweatshop retail chain which he built up from a single store to 43 stores nationwide before he sold the chain to Sports Direct.

Greet De Grave

With over four years of dedicated service at Golazo, Greet De Grave has established herself as an accomplished Project Manager specialising in large-scale marathon organization. At Golazo, a leading name in sports marketing and event management, Greet plays a crucial role in bringing to life world-class sporting events that encourage active lifestyles. She has successfully managed prominent races in Belgium.

Currently, Greet is passionately working on the organisation of the 2025 European Running Championships in Brussels and Leuven, a prestigious event that promises to showcase the best of European athletics. Beyond her professional commitments, Greet is a proud mother of two boys and finds balance and energy through her own love of running and triathlon participation. Her career is driven by a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for athletes and audiences alike, ensuring that every event she manages leaves a lasting impact.

Mark Milde

Mark Milde has been involved in helping to organize the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON from early childhood on, as his father founded the race in 1974.

During his school and university education Mark took on more and more responsibilities and has worked on almost every aspect of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and other events organised by SCC EVENTS.

In 2004 he took the role as Race Director and his been overseing the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and the GENERALI Berlin Half Marathon in that capacity ever since. He was co-founder of the World Marathon Majors in 2006 and took different roles at AIMS and IAAF Road Running Commission.

Carlo Capalbo

Dr. Carlo Capalbo is the President of the Organizing Committee of the RunCzech Running League. A former Chairman of the IAAF Road Running Commission, Capalbo began his career in international finance, working with Olivetti Spa and WordPerfect Corporation before founding the Prague International Marathon in 1995. Over the years, he has developed a prestigious network of running events, including the RunCzech Running League, EuroHeroes, and SuperHalfs.

His contributions to the sport have earned him numerous honors, including honorary citizenship of Prague and Karlovy Vary, an honorary degree from Charles University, recognition by European Athletics for his role in founding the EuroHeroes project, and the distinguished Italian order of "Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia." More than 1.25 million runners have participated in RunCzech events, which have set multiple world records and attracted some of the world’s top marathoners.

Kathrin Widu

Kathrin Widu is the Managing Director of the Vienna City Marathon and the VCM Group. She has been part of the team for 20 years and has rich experience in the running industry. She has a Master’s degree in tourism management, degrees in sports marketing management and is head of the running initiative The Daily Mile Austria. Together with her managing director colleague Dominik Konrad, she leads a team of 15 people in the VCM Group.

Jay Holder

ay comes to Running USA after eight years at Atlanta Track Club, most recently serving as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the non-profit. At Running USA, Jay oversees the strategy around data, research and communication as well as its annual conference, the premier running industry conference in the United States. Jay has served as a track and field media operations and broadcast consultant for the last two summer Olympic Games and works annually with major road races and track meets around the world to provide media and broadcast services. Jay has a journalism degree from the State University of New York at Oswego where he was a member of the cross country and track and field teams. He has completed 15 marathons including 5 Boston Marathons and he has done the Rim to Rim to Rim run in the Grand Canyon. Jay lives in Maryland with his wife Lauren, an Episcopal priest and their children Charlie and Lucy Rae.

Chris Robb

Chris is an author, highly sought-after international speaker, consultant and advisor to Governments, brands, events and suppliers. In his role as CEO of Mass Participation World (MPW) he helps facilitate collaboration, advocacy, research and education for the industry. With over 35 years of industry experience, Chris has been at the helm of events for over one million people across three continents including the 60,000 participant Singapore Marathon. He was also the Road Events Supervisor for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He is globally recognised as an industry thought leader with a huge international network. Chris also hosts and helps curate the hugely popular World Athletics Webinars

Dorte Vibjerg

Dorte is the CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running I Copenhagen and has been in the business of running and mass participation since 2000. Dorte is a former elite runner and is now the executive race director for the Copenhagen Marathon, Copenhagen Half Marathon, and the very popular 5x5 km relay, DHL Stafetten, which had 150,000 participants in 2024. She also led Sparta’s role in the Tour de France Grand Départ Copenhagen 2022, the largest sporting event ever held in the streets of Copenhagen. Dorte serves on a number of boards, giving her insights into a wide range of sporting events beyond running. She is also a member of several national committees that work politically to improve conditions for sports in Copenhagen. Dorte holds an academic background from the University of Copenhagen, an executive MBA from the Technical University of Denmark, and a board education from Copenhagen Business School.

Sasho Belovski

Before starting to build SuperHalfs, he’s been equipping himself with 15+ years of experience in business development, event management, sponsorship, partners’ relationship, and more, all while being with RunCzech. In this period he built, or helped to build, several brands and projects in mass participation events.

Besides being responsible for creating and managing all strategies and processes at SuperHalfs, he is focused on identifying and developing new business opportunities in all spheres of the company’s functioning, including new products, expansions, or ventures.

Sasho holds a PhD in Sports Marketing and he is a FIFAMASTER postgraduate. He is visiting professor and regular guest lecturer at three Prague universities and a guest speaker at various conferences and podcasts.

Mike Nishi

Michael Nishi is the Chief Operating Officer for Chicago Event Management. Michael’s expertise ensures every Chicago Event Management production is not just a spectacle and unforgettable experience, but a catalyst for lasting community benefit and environmental improvement.

Since 1990, Nishi has partnered with Carey Pinkowski as General Manager and Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, respectively. With his extensive operational knowledge, Nishi was integral in guiding a local road race of 6,000 participants to a world-class event that saw over 52,150 marathon finishers in 2024.

In addition to his work on the Chicago Marathon, Nishi is a driving force in increasing the exchange of ideas and best practices among events of all size and scope. Nishi saw a need for better communication and collaboration among event organizers, so he founded the Race Management Program 14 years ago. This intimate forum has become a valuable resource for event directors and industry professionals from around the world. As an active leader in the endurance industry, he continues to advocate for greater safety & security, not only for Chicago Event Management clients but also for events around the world. Michael is currently part of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security’s (NCS4) Marathon & Endurance Events Advisory Committee.

Nishi is also deeply committed to sustainability and community. Chicago Event Management’s focus on sustainability allows them to provide training, education, and real-life application, giving individuals the skills they need to make a difference in their own communities. An avid runner and cyclist himself, Nishi sits on the board of Girls on the Run Chicago, serves as the Vice President on Running USA’s board, and is part of the AIMS: Association of International Marathons board.

Nishi and his wife Dona, and their two daughters, live in Chicago where they are active community members in their Little Italy/University of Illinois Chicago neighborhood

Agnieszka Krzysztofik

Agnieszka’s unwavering passion for technology has been the driving force behind her career. With 15 years of experience, she has delved into various perspectives and approaches to harnessing technology for business benefits. Recently, she has been leveraging this expertise to assist sports organizations, regardless of their size, in achieving their goals through digital tools and solutions.

Jakob Larsen

Jakob is an international sports executive with extensive experience in event design and organization within global athletics. He has spearheaded the introduction of the World Road Running Championships and has served as Race Director for two Out-of-Stadium World Championships as well as several major road running events. Additionally, he has served as the CEO of the Danish national federation. His work focuses on driving innovation and growth in athletics, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance the global presence of the sport

Panagiotis Dimakos

Panagiotis Dimakos, PhD, is a Professor of Physical Education specializing in short, middle, and long-distance races. With extensive experience as both an educator and coach, he has been involved with some of Greece's top athletics clubs. Dimakos has held numerous leadership roles in athletics, including serving as a member of the European Athletics Council (2015-2023), Senior Vice President of SEGAS (2012-2019), and Chairman of the Athens Authentic Marathon Organizing Committee (2016-2019). He is also a founder of the “Filathlitikos” Athletics Club and a national record holder in youth categories. His career is marked by his dedication to athletics, education, and public service in various capacities.

Rebecca (Becs) Richardson

Rebecca has been in the Sports industry for over 30 years, starting her career brand side at adidas working with specialty retail, buying groups and consumer relations (as became D2C). 

Rebecca has continually dedicated her focus to driving collaboration and growth for the sports sector, mainly Running and Triathlon (B2B), resulting in the role of CEO & Co-Founder of Running Industry Alliance (RIA). 

Founded in January 2022 and with over 320+ members, RIA's primary focus is bringing together defined verticals of the running industry including brands, retailers, distributors, buying groups, events, charities, communities, media, services, suppliers and NGB’s. The ecosystem environment encourages working together to assist the acceleration of positive change and market place stability, as well as the sharing of learnings, research, data and insights in a safe space business environment. The recent merger with Triathlon Industry Association (TIA) is another example of a collaborative partnership approach and ultimately leading to overall industry growth.

RIA hosts major Member orientated in-person annual events including The Running Conference (December) and The RIA Spring Gathering (April), amongst European and International meet ups with Alliance Partners creating bridges for fast-track global business opportunities, all built for purpose. 

Rebecca is passionate about the overall power of sport, active communities, and empowering women in sports business.

Nenad Mojsilović

Driven by a lifelong passion for competitive sports and outdoor adventures, I represented my country twice in youth orienteering championships and tackled challenges like the MTB Annapurna Circuit expedition. Over the past decade, I’ve channeled this passion into organising Trail, MTB, and OCR events, while also helping other organiser’s to elevate their events, such as Belgrade marathon and Red Bull Fortmaster. I am the co-founder of Serbia’s largest trail event (Trail Race Kopaonik) and notable MTB events (Wild Bear MTB Stage Race - Tara and Three Sides of Kopaonik). With my daughter, wife, and our dog, I’m always seeking new ways to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.

Nathalie Davies

I have worked in the events industry for 18 years and joined Raccoon Media Group in 2018 when they had recently launched The National Running Show. I have had the pleasure of helping grow this event over the past 5 years, where we now see over 300 exhibitors and 30,000 runners attend. At Raccoon Media Group we also organise 17 other events in the UK, USA and Europe including The National Outdoor Expo, The National Cycling Show, Boston Run Show, Boston Outdoor Expo and our new event The International Running Expo.

Julien Chorier

Julien Chorier joined UTMB Group in July 2024 as Sports Director. He is responsible for the development of sporting rules and manages relationships with elite athletes, teams, and sports governing bodies.

An elite athlete himself, Julien has an outstanding track record, with victories in renowned ultra-trail races such as the Diagonale des Fous (which he won twice) and the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run. Before joining UTMB Group, he ran and worked for the HOKA brand as the trail team coordinator since 2014.

In addition, as a certified Mountain Guide, Julien organized and led trail running camps, sharing his passion and extensive experience in ultra-trail running. From 2003 to 2014, after completing an engineering degree and a PhD in civil engineering, he worked as a building engineer.

Thorsten Griesbach

For the past seven years, Thorsten has played a vital role in the success story of RACE RESULT. He is not only the expert in the optimal use of our hardware and software, but also always ready to listen to our customers' concerns and help develop tailored solutions.

Alessio Punzi

In the business of mass participation sports since 2008, Alessio is Head of Running at World Athletics, the World Governing Body for the #1 Olympic sport. He supervises all programmes and processes that relate to out-of-stadium running – from competition management and calendars to course measurement and certification, from campaigns to e-Running, from Masters to trail running – and in general for all relationships with the running industry. Also, he’s responsible for the mass participation piece of various World Athletics Championships. Alessio has previously held positions in marketing, competitions and development at European Athletics, UCI, the Rome Marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon and the European Cyclists’ Federation. Bachelor in Media Studies, MSc in Sport Management & Communication, Postgrad in Sports Administration and Technology at Lausanne's IOC-founded AISTS Academy.

Konstantina Mpatsari

Konstantina is a Principal at Deloitte Greece, at the Sustainability and Emerging Assurance Service Line within the Assurance Department. She specializes in driving transformative sustainable development initiatives for enterprises across industries, aligning them with global ESG frameworks and local regulatory requirements. With a personal and professional vision to create a meaningful and lasting impact, she leads projects that foster long-term sustainability, ethical growth, and stakeholder trust.

Lars Späth

Lars Späth is the Head of Sales at RACE RESULT, a company known for its cutting-edge timing technology and solutions for sports events. He joined the company in 2018 as International Sales Manager and has been instrumental in driving the company forward in various regions. With a strong focus on building relationships and driving growth, Lars plays a pivotal role in expanding the company's global presence. His expertise in sales strategy, client management, and market development has been key in positioning RACE RESULT as a leader in the sports timing industry. Lars is recognized for his dynamic leadership, ability to understand client needs, and passion for delivering top-quality solutions.

Guy Horne

Guy Horne is a 30-year veteran of the Asian sports markets and has been deeply involved in the evolution of sports marketing in Asia. This includes managing the marketing and technical programme that qualified China men’s football team to their first ever FIFA World Cup in 2002 and race director for the 2000 and 2001 Pyongyang International Marathon.

Guy worked for IEC in Sports, later Sportfive from 2002-2017 in both Hong Kong and Lausanne. He was involved with media rights distribution and digital content creation for the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo Marathon and Dubai Marathon amongst others.

Since founding H&A Media in Lausanne in 2018, with offices in Beijing, Guy and his team work with a variety of federations and rightsholders to engage with Chinese fans through dedicated social media channel management, live streaming with Chinese commentary and the creation of original sports programming in China.

Alina Masich

Has the experience of race director from 2019 to 2022 in Ukraine, as well as the administrative director of the team of race organizers. Since 2022, he has been leading the application development project for organizers and participants, guided by the experience gained during the organization of running events.

Iurii Pidnebesnyi

Iurii is a dynamic entrepreneur and athlete from Ukraine, renowned for co-founding successful ventures from large-scale herb production to leading residential development. While deeply involved in political, social, and community life, his ultimate passion lies in Ace Battle Mile—a groundbreaking team-based running competition that fuses sports with tech like never before. Driven to make this unique format a global sensation, Iurii is dedicated to creating an innovative, high-energy platform for athletes and teams worldwide.

Johan Tigér

Since 2020, when Tigertech was founded, Johan Tigér has made it his mission to help organizations in the endurance sports industry with digital transformation and activations. Among his clients, well-known brands like New Balance, Maurten, TCS and Garmin can be found alongside races such as Calgary Marathon (CAN), San José Half Marathon (USA), Göteborgsvarvet (SWE) and Congo River Marathon (DRC).

Prior to starting Tigertech, Johan had a seasoned tenure in the endurance sports industry, most recently as the CTO of Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon (SWE) where he built and managed their bespoke registration system. He also co-founded a race registration service and was part of building the Swedish runners’ community jogg.se.

Johan is also an avid runner with close to 50 marathons and ultra-marathons to date and holds a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology.

Chantelle Gaugeler

I bring over a decade of experience in the sports industry, having worked with esteemed organizations such as Ironman Challenge and currently with WITISI. My extensive background on the distributor side allows me to understand precisely what athletes are seeking, enabling me to provide tailored and effective advice.

I possess a deep comprehension of the design processes and the substantial efforts required to execute successful races. In addition to my business development experience, I am also an active athlete, having participated in triathlons, running events, cycling, and swimming competitions. This dual perspective equips WITISI and me with a unique advantage in addressing the needs of our clients and enhancing their overall experience.

Théo Bayssat

With over ten years of industry experience, Theo Bayssat has dedicated the past five years at Strava to enhancing partner engagement through authentic interactions on the platform. He supports country teams with strategic approaches to strengthen partnerships, from global events to top level content creators or local communities. An outdoor enthusiast based in Paris, Theo is passionate about fostering community connections and driving impactful collaborations that motivate more people to be active.

Jason Gewirtz

Jason Gewirtz is the vice president of the Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division and the executive editor and publisher of SportsTravel. Gewirtz joined the company in 2008 as managing editor of SportsTravel and has served a variety of roles since, overseeing editorial coverage of the magazine and content at the Sports Division’s events, including the TEAMS Conference & Expo, TEAMS Europe and the EsportsTravel Summit. A veteran daily journalist prior to joining SportsTravel, Gewirtz previously worked as a reporter and editor at the Press-Telegram in Long Beach, California, the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, and the Broomfield Enterprise in Broomfield, Colorado. He is a member of the board of directors for the Sports Events & Tourism Association. Gewirtz holds a journalism degree from the University of Colorado and has won numerous awards as both a writer and editor.

Alfonso Yagüe Yges

Alfonso Yagüe Yges is the Account Growth Manager at iRewind, where he plays a crucial role in driving the company’s growth and market presence. With a background in consulting and business development, Alfonso has been instrumental in leading the expansion of iRewind's SaaS solution on a global scale. His efforts are focused on identifying and securing strategic partnerships that enhance the company’s footprint in the industry globally.

Virgil Andrews

Virgil is a dynamic marketing consultant with over 15 years of experience driving business growththrough innovative and scalable strategies. Since joining World’s Sports Group in 2021, he haspartnered with some of the largest stakeholders in endurance sports and beyond, delivering high-impact solutions that have fuel the growth and performance of the business.

As a passionate distance runner, Virgil played a key role in growing The Running Bug into Europe’slargest digital platform for runners, attracting 1 million monthly active users and a social reach of 20million at its peak.

With a deep expertise in digital marketing and community building, Virgil has successfully launchedsome of Europe’s most prominent running events. He is responsible for UK and US partnerships,working with a diverse range of endemic brands, and nonprofit organizations.

Salvador García Zalduegu

Salvador García Zalduegui founded iRewind with the vision of transforming event experiences through personalized video memories. His goal was not just to capture moments but to create meaningful connections and provide brands with unique marketing activation opportunities. By leveraging personalization, iRewind offers a powerful tool for brands to extend the life of their marketing efforts and engage participants in a deeper, more impactful way.

As CEO, Salvador has been instrumental in driving iRewind’s growth, forming strategic partnerships, and positioning the company as a leader in personalized video technology for the mass participation industry, earning recognitions that include the Sports Technology Award in London, the Grand Prix at the Geneva International Invention Show, Swiss ICT Newcomer of the Year, recognition as one of the Top 17 Disruptors by START Global at the Web Summit, and being named among the Top 8 Promising Start-ups by Bilan.

Riena Tambunan

I have enjoyed outdoor activities, ranging from biking to mountaineering, since I was a little girl. When I reached the age where I had to pick a profession, becoming an athlete was an unrealistic choice in Indonesia at the time. I therefore decided to become an accountant in the tax department of a Japanese company. However, my passion for sport was something I was unable to let go of. Once I had earned enough money, I took the opportunity to study Sport Science, where I earned my license to become a specialist rehab exercise program. I used this knowledge to lead people to a more active lifestyle while simultaneously building my own company.

One day while on a run in the local zoo, I met a few expatriates who were also on a run. We began talking and together we created the first 5K race in Jakarta, which only had five participants. We continued to run together every weekend where we met more and more people who ended up joining our runs. Eventually, we created Jakarta Race Series, where races were organized for four international schools. The event was a success, motivating me to continue organizing races. I began investing into my races, including purchasing timing system from MyLaps in 2012 and opening online registration. During this time period, I was also participating in various marathons around the world, eventually earning my 6 World Major Marathon medal. Through these experiences, I was able to meet and learn from established individuals in the industry, as well as apply my experiences and knowledge from joining these races to those I organize. The first pacers for marathon event in 2015, which included a minister who is also the first person to earn the 6-star medal in Indonesia is,the second female is myself , among the many new concepts I introduced to my races in Indonesia.

Being in this industry, I learn something new every day. I love asking for advice from everyone I meet allowing me to continuously improve myself. I would like to mention some names who have helped me in many ways , Tad Hayano from Tokyo, Mr. Mike Nishi from Chicago Marathon and of course Mr.Manabu Tanaka who is no longer with us right now, I will always remember his guidance for years to me. My present day goal is to advance the athletic industry in Indonesia as the culture there does not match my belief in the importance of physical activity from a young age. Despite the weather challenge in Indonesia, I would like to give or bring more knowledge to the industry there.

Harald Mika

mika:timing is one of the leading providers in the mass participant industry when it comes to timing & results. The founder Harald Mika and his team have for more then 30 year's been focusing on best-in-class computerized timing and scoring solutions.

Core members of mika:timing have a strong background in software development. This foundation is where they built their battle-tested software suite, SportsPro, for timing and scoring events. Their impressive list of services and tools support events in the areas of online registration, participant management, expo and packet pickup, on demand liveprint of bibs, customized tracking & event apps, timing and scoring and liveresults on the web. Further, they have unique solutions to share real-time race data with their client's third-party vendors through comprehensive APIs.

mika:timing is a team of enthusiasts passionate about providing high-quality race services and introducing new industry-leading standards. With a strong focus on project management and in-house software development, mika:timing delivers high-quality customized solutions for races.
With it’s headquarters in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, mika:timing is today a global company working together with high profile events all around the world.

Seifeldin Fawzy

Seifeldin Fawzy is a co-founder & COO of The TriFactory. A graduate of University College London Faculty of Laws and a former commercial lawyer, Seif left the corporate world to co-found The TriFactory in 2015, turning his passion for running and sports into his full-time occupation. At The TriFactory, Seif manages business & brand development, sponsorships, partnerships, and general event operations for all of the company's races, including the AIMS-certified Pyramids Half Marathon, El Gouna Half Marathon, the Somabay Endurance Festival, Tough Mudder Egypt, and a dozen other events. Alongside management of The TriFactory, Seif is a long-time runner, marathon and IRONMAN finisher, and endurance sports addict. You can find him at The TriFactory races with the mic in his hand, cheering on thousands of runners as they cross the Finish Line and earn their medals.

Pierre-Yves Val

Pierre-Yves Val is the Managing Director of sportsXpert, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, with over 20 years of experience in travel management for international sports federations and organisations.

His expertise includes global travel and event accommodation management solutions for major sporting events. Pierre-Yves has held senior travel management roles at prestigious organisations like the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and SailGP, where he developed innovative real-time solutions and travel management strategies.

At sportsXpert, he has implemented advanced systems and strategies, combining his expertise from both the sports and travel industries with the latest available technology, to provide an exceptional travel experience for all participants, including athletes, teams, officials, VIPs, and spectators. His tailored, reliable services ensure efficient and cost-effective operations for events ranging from single sports competitions and tournaments to world championships, meetings, and large-scale conferences, setting new standards in global sports travel management.

Sheyong Tan

Sheyong Tan is the Co-founder & CEO of BiiB and Race Director of RUNLIGA. He’s revolutionizing running by turning it into a team sport through BiiB - a digital platform that supports team-based active challenges currently having clients across 24 countries. RUNLIGA, BiiB’s largest league, connects hundreds of running clubs in the Southeast Asia regions both online and offline.

Greg Broekmans

Events are a trigger to a more active lifestyle. They provide a clear purpose with a deadline. Often, an event – from a 5K fun run to an ultra marathon - is the ultimate reward for months of preparation and the start of a new journey. At Golazo we strongly believe that our events are life changing experiences.

We offer 5K fun runs, urban trails, nature trails, obstacle runs, charity runs, kids runs, nature walks, city walks, corporate runs, digital training programs, road races and marathons to 1.000.000 runners yearly in 5 countries.

Being at Golazo for over 20 years, I have managed the growth in Belgium from 10 events with around 50.000 runners in 2004 to a wide program with 40 hybrid events and 300.000 runners (and walkers) in 2024.

I am a father of 2, Sam and Floris, and a passionate runner with a big love for (ultra)trail running in the mountains.

Jon Rew

Jon Rew, managing director of award-winning Scimitar Sports has established the brand as a leading global supplier to the mass participation and running event sectors, leading Scimitar and their dedicated team of sports enthusiasts to the forefront of branding, merchandise & apparel development. 

With a focus on delivering high-quality products, Jon has driven innovation and pioneered bespoke branding, merchandise & apparel solutions that cater to large-scale running events and sports communities. His dedication to exceptional account management and industry-leading commercial strategies has cemented the company’s reputation as a trusted partner in the running and sportswear industries.

In 2024, Jon was appointed to the Running Industry Alliance Advisory Board, helping support innovation, collaboration and growth across the running industry alongside other key leaders in the running and mass participation event sectors.

Jon is a keen supporter of developing sporting opportunities for all and is a proud Patron of both the Tag Rugby Trust and Bath Rugby Club Foundation. As owner of the Scimitar Storm 7s Rugby team which participates in global competitions he offers young athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents to move on to receive international honours. 

Mart Einasto

Mart Einasto is a widely recognised running advocate in Estonia. He has organised several studies on lifelong running, organised the Estonian Running Conference for eight years and written the well-known running book "In Praise of Running". He is currently a member of the board of the Estonian Athletics Federation and a member of the council of one of the largest Estonian sports event organizing clubs, Tartu Marathon.

Nicole Goddeyne

Nicole Goddeyne is manager of buyer development in the Sports Division at Northstar Meetings Group and has worked on the TEAMS Conference & Expo and TEAMS Europe in several roles since 2010, including as event organizer liaison and web editor. She graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a degree in fine arts and behavioral science.

Thomas Huyberechts

With over a decade of service at Golazo, I have developed a deep expertise in sports event management and strategic project leadership. Golazo is a leading sports marketing and event organization company, renowned for creating and managing world-class sporting events that inspire active lifestyles. As the Head of Project Management, I play a pivotal role – together with a team of 45 project and event managers - in orchestrating some of our most significant events, including our marathon program, which attracts over 100,000 participants annually and is a cornerstone of our mission to promote health and fitness.

In addition to my ongoing responsibilities, I was honored to serve as the LOC Director for the 2023 Spar European Cross Country Championships in Brussels. Currently, I am the Project Lead for the 2025 European Running Championships, passionate to ensure the event's success on the continental stage. My career is fueled by a passion for sports and a commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences that resonate with participants and audiences alike.

Maksym Krivenko

Has a wealth of experience managing races, as race director since 2015 in Ukraine. Under his leadership, more than 65 races were organized for more than 300,000 runners. Iron man and marathon runner, author of a book about running, author of the idea of RaceNext.

Ayman Hakky

Ayman Hakky is a sports entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the sports industry as an athlete, coach, business manager and board member. Following his graduation from the German School, DEO, Ayman studied Economics at the American University in Cairo and the University of California in Los Angeles. He joined British Petroleum in 2009 and worked as a commercial analyst for 6 years before leaving to found The TriFactory in 2015, with the vision of developing the sport of triathlon in Egypt and the surrounding region. Since then, he has overseen The TriFactory's growth and expansion to become Egypt's leading mass participation sports event organiser. Today, The TriFactory boasts a full-time team of 15 employees, managing a wide variety of events every year including the AIMS-certified Pyramids Half Marathon, Tough Mudder Egypt, El Gouna Half Marathon, Somabay Endurance Festival and many more. Ayman is also the co-founder of Racemate, Egypt's leading running app, and served as a Gezira Sporting Club board member from 2017-2021.

Mike Terpstra

Mike Terpstra is a former pro-cyclist with a deep passion for all sports, especially endurance events. Having spent his entire life immersed in the sports industry, as a participant, spectator, professional, and influencer. Mike now leads a talented sales team in the EMEA region at MYLAPS Sports Technology. He specializes in advanced sports timing technology and solutions in the active sports market, helping clients create smooth and successful events. As he continues to thrive professionally, Mike is also preparing to run his first marathon in the spring of 2025.

Niels Schut

In 2016, I founded Sportunity with the goal of getting more people active through the use of technology and a fresh, innovative approach. Today, Sportunity continues to pursue its mission: "connect people who love sports." With a deep passion for sports, I strive to meet the evolving needs and desires of athletes. As CEO and founder, I focus on business development and driving innovation. Additionally, I remain actively involved in our weekend TRACX events, observing up to 15 events in a single weekend. This hands-on experience allows me to stay connected to the market and understand it in ways few others do. At the European Running Business Conference, I’ll share insights on how technology can enhance event experiences and help develop new revenue models.

Arno Kempenaar

I have been working in the event industry for more than 20 years and from 2014 working for MYLAPS Event Timing the in-house timing department of MYLAPS Sports Technology. MYLAPS Event Timing has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and currently provides around 450 events a year with timing services in the broadest sense of the word.

Adam Yeomans 

As Head of Global Partnerships at Scimitar, Adam has been working directly with event organisers, national governing bodies and agencies on projects to enhance the exposure and commercial revenue streams of some of the largest sporting events across the world.

From the UEFA Champion’s League and Investec Champions Cup to the Great North Run and Cardiff Half Marathon, Adam’s decade of experience in commercial branding spans a host of major sporting events across the world, with a truly global consumer footprint.

Adam specialises in the provision of premium branding, merchandise and sustainable solutions for clients. An acute eye for commercial opportunities allows Adam to build unique, personable relationships to advise and maximise all commercial avenues, providing a service like no other

Dr. Juan David Peña Duque 

I am a dedicated sports medicine physician with over 13 years of experience in diagnosing, treating, and managing risk factors for sports-related injuries from amateur to elite level in different sports disciplines and categories. My experiences in Europe and the Middle East (Spanish Football League, Aspetar and Aspire Academy in Qatar, Al Hilal SC, Saudi Arabia Football National Team), have allowed me to share with high-level athletes and professionals from other nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds. Now, together with our company, WSM, we are pleased to deliver top medical services to sports events, sports institutions, and also individual athletes.

I am passionate about my job and always motivated to learn, to share knowledge and experiences, and enhance my networking, and increase my knowledge and motivation to continue learning, developing as a professional, and extending my networking.

After working at Aspetar and the Aspire Academy in Qatar, one of the most internationally recognized centers in Sports Medicine, I decided to move to Saudi Arabia, where I am currently the Medical Director of the Saudi Arabian Women´s Football National Team.

Marek Tronina

A journalist by education, founder and the CEO of the Warsaw Marathon Foundation. Between 1993 and 1996 a sports journalist with the national public television network TVP (including two Olympic games as a commentator).

The leader of the Warsaw Marathon organization since 2002, since that time he brought to life the Warsaw Half Marathon, Bieganie (the first running monthly) and a variety of other running projects. Awarded with the Cross of Merit by the President of Poland.

Geoff Wightman

As an athlete, many, many years ago, Geoff Wightman finished sixth in the European Championship Marathon. His subsequent working career has been as a lawyer (solicitor), sports agent, sportswear marketing manager for Puma, CEO at scottishathletics and head of road running at British Athletics.

HHe has been the stadium announcer at the past five outdoor World Athletics Championships and start/finish line announcer at the London Marathon since 1991, as well as other major road events.

He coaches his son Jake, who won the World 1500m title in Oregon 2022, with Geoff announcing in the stadium. He has co-hosted all of the previous European Running Business Conferences.

Rebeka Ozolniece

I began my career in 2021 as Head of Communications for the Latvian Athletics Association at just 21 years old, coming from my own background as an athlete. My passion for athletics has only grown since then. In 2022, I participated in the European Athletics "Young Leaders Forum" in Munich. It was a pivotal moment that affirmed my dedication to the world of sports. In 2023, I contributed to organizing first-ever World Athletics Road Running Championships in Latvia. In 2024 I joined the team behind the largest road running race in the Baltics. Currently, I work full-time there as Head of Communications for the Rimi Riga Marathon, where I continue to explore the beauty of athletics from a new perspective - long-distance running.

Dimitrios Kelepouris

Dimitrios Kelepouris is a dynamic media professional and a passionate lifelong athletics' individual with extensive experience in the sports industry. His career spans roles in journalism, broadcast & media production, and event management, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the world of sports and running.

A former national athletics athlete and a multiple-time champion in race walking, Dimitrios has represented Greece in European and Balkan level. Beyond his athletics' achievements, he is dedicated to the sport as a certified judge and an active volunteer, contributing to major events such as the "Athens Marathon. The Authentic" or the "Future Leaders Forum" of EA and is supporting initiatives for athletes with disabilities.

His academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Journalism from Temple University of Philadelphia (USA), where he received several prestigious awards for his work in collegiate broadcasting (Emmy Mid-Atlantic Awards). He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication, Media, and Culture from Panteion University of Athens. With his multilingual abilities and his skills in media production, Dimitrios combines his expertise with a deep-rooted passion for athletics and running, making a significant impact in the sports community both on and off the field.

Katerina Anastasopoulou

My passion for sports and storytelling led me to Journalism and documentary filmmaking having the Marathon and the Olympic Games in my spotlight. My master's degree in journalism and New Media offered me essential skills to work as a journalist for multiple audiences. I started my sports career very young as a javelin, long jump and 4X100 relay athlete. The Authentic Athens Marathon is part of our DNA in Greece and has also been part of my work. For the last 9 years, I've been working as a sports journalist and presenter for Greek National Television (ERT), which broadcasts live and exclusively the Athens Marathon.