On 17th May 2026, Mr. Wilson Maina, Kenyan Athlete won the first-ever APAS Run 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil. He took first place in the 10km men’s race raising Kenya’s flag and visibility high.
Kenya was invited as a key Guest Country in recognition of the outstanding global reputation and exceptional performance in athletics by the Association of Supermarkets of the State of São Paulo (APAS).
APAS expressed strong interest in Kenya’s participation in the inaugural edition of the APAS Run, thereby incorporating Kenyan athlete, Mr. Wilson into the first-ever staging o f the race.
The APAS Run 2026 was an opening precursor to the main exhibition, APAS Show International Fair which is set take place from 18th to 21st May 2026 at Expo Norte Centre, São Paulo,Brazil, where Kenya will be represented by several organization including the State Department for Trade and the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) as facilitated by the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Brasilia.
The objective of the race was to promote sports, wellness and international engagement while enhancing the visibility of the APAS Show Event, which is one
of the largest international trade fairs in Latin America, scheduled for 18th to 21st May 2026, where Kenya will be participating.
There were over 3,000 participants competing in the 5km and 10km categories, to be held at Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brazil.
Mr. Patrick Mukuria, Secretary Administration at the State Department for Trade led a delegation of Kenyan Officials to participate in the APAS Run. The Kenyan delegation and Mr. Wilson Maina were introduced to key officials including the President of APAS, Mr, Erlon Ortega and the President of the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS), Mr. João Galassi as well as key supermarkets as part of strategic engagements coordinated Ms. Gabriela Meucci, International Supervisor of APAS towards strengthening economic cooperation with Brazil in export trade.
Additionally, the Embassy facilitated promotion of Public Diplomacy as there were several interviews conducted to promote Kenya’s Sports and Trade with several Brazilian Media including the SuperVarejo Magazine by APAS.
