KEYIR NEWS:- The Grand African Run and African Impact Awards, an annual celebration of athleticism, diaspora achievement, and African excellence, will return to Washington, D.C., this October for their seventh edition, organisers announced today.
Hosted by Nova Connection, a Washington-based diaspora engagement organisation, the flagship 5K run will take place on October 1, 2025, followed by an awards ceremony on October 2 to honour distinguished individuals of African heritage. Online registration is now open via www.africanrun.com, with the event once again expected to draw thousands from the Ethiopian and wider African diaspora.
Established as a vibrant nexus for networking, cultural celebration, and community building, Nova Connection continues to position the Grand African Run as both a health-focused initiative and a platform for diaspora recognition. “We are honoured to serve the African diaspora through these two landmark programmes,” said Dr. Gashaw Abza, Managing Director of Nova Connection, in a press release.
This year’s event is supported by a consortium of sponsors including Alexandria Toyota, Dashen Bank, Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, Roaming Rooster, Gofre Sports, Arif Pay, and Gift Real Estate.
Past honourees of the African Impact Awards have included world-renowned athletes such as Kenenisa Bekele, Derartu Tulu, Tirunesh Dibaba, Sileshi Sihine, and Genzebe Dibaba. The ceremony has also recognised prominent cultural and civic figures, including music icon Akon, journalist Meaza Birru, singer Teddy Afro, aviation executive Girma Wake, musician Mulatu Astatke, and vocalist Aster Aweke.
Adding to the excitement, a brand-new 2025 Toyota Corolla—courtesy of Alexandria Toyota—will be awarded to one lucky race participant in a live drawing at the close of the event. Several acclaimed artists and athletes are also slated to attend as guests of honour.