AfriRun Belfast CIC
Run.Celebrate.Connect.
Community wellbeing through movement, culture and connection.
AfriRun Belfast brings people together through running, walking, Afrobeat Cardio Fitness, volunteering and community engagement across Northern Ireland.
Weekly RunsFriendly pace. No pressure.
Afrobeat CardioMovement, music and joy.
VolunteerCheer zones and events.
About AfriRun
More than a running club.
AfriRun creates experiences that bring people together through movement, music, wellbeing, volunteering and community pride.
Movement has the power to connect people, improve health and strengthen communities.Founded in Belfast, AfriRun provides welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can run, walk, dance, volunteer and build meaningful friendships while celebrating African culture and promoting inclusion.
CommunityEveryone belongs.
InclusionEvery background, ability and fitness level is welcome.
HealthPromoting healthier lives through movement.
CelebrationCelebrating African culture, diversity and achievement.
ServiceGiving back through volunteering and community engagement.
GrowthHelping people become confident, healthier and connected.
About the Founder
Led by health, movement and community.
AfriRun was established by Dr Salmon Sotannde, bringing together medical expertise, physiotherapy-informed movement, sports and exercise medicine, running leadership and a deep belief in community belonging.
Founder & Director
Dr Salmon Sotannde (Dr Papaz)
Founder & Director, AfriRun Belfast CIC
I am a medical doctor with physiotherapy-informed movement and sports medicine expertise, a Master’s degree in Sports & Exercise Medicine, a qualified Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF), and a certified running coach. Throughout my journey, I have been passionate about using movement, exercise and community to improve health and wellbeing.
After moving to Belfast, I saw how physical activity could bring people together, but I also recognised that many people, particularly those new to Northern Ireland, needed a welcoming community where they could stay active, build friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
That inspired me to establish AfriRun Belfast CIC.
AfriRun is more than a running club. It is a community movement that uses running, walking, dance fitness and volunteering to improve physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. We welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds, creating opportunities to move, celebrate and grow together.
Our vision is to build a healthier, more connected Belfast through movement and community engagement.
Medical DoctorPhysio-informed MovementSports Medicine-informedCommunity Health AdvocateLeader in Running FitnessCertified Running Coach
Weekly Runs
Friendly miles. Stronger minds.
Join AfriRun for relaxed, supportive community runs and parkrun meetups. New runners, walkers, families and experienced runners are all welcome.
Saturday parkrun energy
Waterworks, Belfast and community routes across the city.
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Weekly Community Runs
Supportive movement for all levels, from first-timers to regular runners.
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AfriKids
Inspiring children and families to enjoy active lifestyles through junior parkrun and family activities.
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Doctor-led, sports medicine-informed approach
A community-first organisation with strong medical, movement, wellbeing and sports medicine foundations.
Afrobeat Cardio Fitness
Movement, music and joy.
Fun, high-energy group fitness sessions designed to be welcoming, uplifting and suitable for every fitness level.
Afrobeat Cardio Sessions
Move together in a welcoming community space.
AfriRun blends culture, movement and wellbeing through energetic group sessions that help people stay active, build confidence and enjoy exercise together.
💃Afrobeat Cardio Fitness
Fun, high-energy group fitness sessions suitable for every fitness level.
Fun, high-energy group fitness sessions suitable for every fitness level.
🎉Community energy
Sessions that help people connect, move and celebrate together.
Sessions that help people connect, move and celebrate together.
❤️Wellbeing through movement
Supporting physical health, confidence and social connection.
Supporting physical health, confidence and social connection.
AfriKids
Active lifestyles for children and families.
AfriKids helps inspire children and families to enjoy movement through junior parkrun, family activity and community participation.
Doctor-led approach
AfriRun is doctor-led and sports medicine-informed, helping create a safe, inclusive and wellbeing-focused community environment.
Volunteer With Us
The biggest hype squad.
AfriRun supports major running events across Northern Ireland through cheer zones, encouragement, race volunteering and community engagement.
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Event Cheer Zones
Bring energy, drums, music and encouragement to runners when they need it most.
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Volunteer Engagement
Help at races, community events, wellbeing activities and local initiatives.
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Cultural Celebration
Celebrate African culture while promoting inclusion across Northern Ireland.
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Leadership Growth
Create opportunities for friendship, confidence, leadership and personal development.
Events Calendar
What is coming up.
See the current mix of AfriRun runs, dance sessions, volunteering and community activity.
Gallery
Real community energy.
A snapshot of AfriRun in action across runs, volunteering, community sessions and race-day moments.
Our Impact
Movement that reaches beyond the finish line.
AfriRun’s impact is measured in confidence, friendship, first-time participation, cultural celebration and people feeling supported across Northern Ireland.
Cheer zones, culture and race-day support.
AfriRun brings music, energy and encouragement to major running events, while creating accessible ways for people to run, volunteer, connect and celebrate African culture.
First-time parkrunners story
Tosin’s journey: from “I can’t” to 10 kilometres.
AfriRun celebrates every milestone, because every finish line begins with a first step.
Tosin’s photo to be added
Success Story
Progress comes one step at a time.
When Tosin joined AfriRun Belfast in January 2026, completing 5 kilometres felt like an impossible challenge. During her first parkrun, she was not able to finish the course, but she did not give up.
Week after week, she kept showing up. With encouragement from fellow AfriRunners and by progressing at her own pace, her confidence and fitness gradually improved.
Just a few months later, Tosin achieved something she once thought was out of reach. She completed her first 10-kilometre race.
Her journey reminds us that every runner starts somewhere. Progress is not about being the fastest; it is about taking the next step, staying consistent and believing in yourself.
At AfriRun Belfast, we celebrate every milestone, because every finish line begins with a first step.
📆 JoinedJanuary 2026
🏃♀️ First parkrunJanuary 2026, did not complete
🥇 MilestoneFirst 10K completed in 2026, Belfast City Women’s 10K
❤️ Message“Keep showing up. Progress comes one step at a time.”
Race-Day Support
Giving back to the running community.
At AfriRun Belfast, we believe that supporting an event is just as meaningful as running it.
Every runner deserves someone cheering them on.
AfriRun members regularly volunteer at races across Northern Ireland, helping organisers create safe, welcoming and memorable experiences for thousands of runners.
From handing out water and cheering participants to directing runners along the course, every volunteer plays an important role in helping others reach the finish line.
Volunteering has become a core part of AfriRun’s identity. It strengthens friendships, develops teamwork and allows us to give back to the running community that has welcomed us.
Whether we are running, cheering or volunteering, we are proud to be part of every race-day experience. Because every runner deserves someone cheering them on ❤️ 💕.
Community Partnerships
Building wellbeing across Northern Ireland.
AfriRun works with race organisers, councils, community bodies, sporting organisations and digital partners to create welcoming spaces for movement, volunteering, culture and inclusion.
Race community
Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon
AfriRun brings volunteer energy, cheer-zone support and community encouragement to major running events.
Events
Antrim Coast Half Marathon
Supporting the wider running calendar through participation, volunteering, visibility and community spirit.
Local community
Belfast City Council
Aligned with community wellbeing, inclusion, local engagement and healthier city participation.
Sport
Athletics Northern Ireland
Connecting AfriRun’s community movement with the wider athletics and participation ecosystem.
Digital support
ClientCapture
Supporting AfriRun with a digital home for membership, updates, newsletters, partnerships and community impact.
Race community
Born2Run Events
Championing community running through volunteering, participation and support at Born2Run events across Northern Ireland.
Partner with AfriRun
Community, health and corporate engagement.
AfriRun welcomes collaboration with schools, universities, charities, healthcare organisations, race organisers, councils and employers who want to support inclusion, movement and wellbeing.
Sponsor AfriRun
Support movement, culture and inclusion.
Sponsors can support weekly community activity, race volunteer teams, dance fitness, health education, community hikes, social events and future programmes across Northern Ireland.
Corporate Engagement
Workplace wellbeing with real energy.
AfriRun can support workplace wellbeing sessions, inclusive activity days, community volunteering, event cheer zones and cultural celebration programmes for organisations.
Membership & Bookings
Join AfriRun Belfast.
Use the weekly run form to join AfriRun community runs, or register for Afrobeat Cardio Fitness using the session form below.
Join our weekly run
Register for AfriRun weekly community runs, walking, volunteering and community activity.
Join Afrobeat Cardio Fitness
Register for high-energy Afrobeat Cardio sessions suitable for every fitness level.
Optional suggested donation: £1. This helps AfriRun cover small community resources and keep sessions welcoming and accessible. Donation is optional and never a barrier to joining.
News & Blog
Updates from the community.
Read community updates, race-day stories, partnership news, health resources and member achievements.
Contact
Start with a message.
Whether you want to run, dance, volunteer, partner or sponsor, AfriRun is ready to welcome you.