“You don’t have to be a professional athlete to make an impact. Sometimes it simply starts with showing up, taking that first step and bringing others along with you.”
On September 13, Nadia Usova will run her first half marathon at the 6th edition of the Africell Congo River Marathon, while raising funds for the Ngonda Foundation to support girls and women in the DRC. In this conversation, she shares her journey as a runner, her connection to her father’s homeland, and why running can be so much more than a personal challenge — it can be a way to connect, inspire and make a difference.
1. Hello Nadia! Can you introduce yourself in a few words for those who don’t know you?
My name is Nadia. I was born and raised in Germany, with Congolese and Russian roots – my father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and my mother is from Russia.
Sport has always been a huge part of who I am, and running in particular means a lot to me. It has given me strength, discipline and motivation, and in many ways shaped the person I am today. I simply love to run – it gives me freedom and reminds me of what I’m capable of.
2. When did you start your running journey, and what drew you to the sport?
I’ve always been passionate about sports. Even as a child, I was drawn to athletics, but at the time my parents weren’t aware of the opportunities and support programs that could have made it possible for me to pursue it more seriously.
Whenever we did athletics at school, though, my competitive side came alive. I loved challenging myself and pushing my limits. Later, I rediscovered running on my own and fell in love with it. Today, I run for the challenge, but most of all because it genuinely makes me happy.
3. You first came to Kinshasa in June to participate in the World Cup Peace Run 5K. What motivated you to make the journey from Germany, and what was the experience like for you?
June was actually my very first time visiting Congo. Before I even booked my flight, one of the first things I did was check whether there would be a running event in Kinshasa. I loved the idea of combining two firsts: experiencing Congo for the first time and running my first race here.
My original plan was to participate in the Congo River Marathon event, but when it was postponed until September, I decided to run the World Cup Peace Run 5K instead. It turned into such a special experience – and finishing second among the women made it even more memorable.
What stayed with me most was the atmosphere: the openness of the people, the energy and the running community. Experiencing all of that in the country my father comes from made it even more meaningful.
4. You’re now back in Kinshasa for the Africell Congo River Marathon, this time to take on the 21K. What made you want to come back so soon, and what are your expectations for Sunday?
After my experience in June, coming back felt natural. But running 21K in Congo was also a personal goal I had set for myself long before my first trip here.
When the race was postponed, I knew I didn’t want to let that goal go. I wanted to come back and complete what I had set out to do before entering 2027.
So Sunday is about more than a finishing time. Of course, my competitive side will always be there, but above all, I want to embrace the challenge, enjoy the experience and cross that finish line knowing I kept a promise to myself.
5. You’ll also be co-leading our Shake Out Run on Saturday morning and guiding participants through some post-run yoga. How do running and yoga complement each other for you, and what can participants look forward to?
I’ve been teaching fitness classes for more than ten years, and yoga has become an important part of that journey. For me, running and yoga complement each other perfectly.
Running gives me energy and challenges me, while yoga brings calmness, awareness and balance. I believe movement and stillness go hand in hand.
On Saturday, I want people to enjoy the run, connect with each other and then use the yoga session to slow down, breathe and reconnect with their bodies before race day. I’m really looking forward to sharing that experience with everyone.
6. This time, you’ll be running as part of our Run For a Cause initiative. Why is it meaningful to you to run for a cause, and what would you like to inspire others to do through your participation?
Running already gives me so much personally, so being able to use something I love to give something back makes it even more meaningful.
Sport has the power to connect and motivate people and create something positive beyond individual performance. If my participation can contribute to something bigger while inspiring someone else to move, challenge themselves or believe in what they can achieve, that makes me genuinely happy.
I hope to show that you don’t have to be a professional athlete to make an impact. Sometimes it simply starts with showing up, taking that first step and bringing others along with you.
