30th Mt Cameroon Race of Hope unveils little surprises

By Nchendzengang Tatah

The 30th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope was described by many to come with little or no innovations, owing to organisational lapses. The race which was in it’s 52nd year this February 22, 2025 held under the theme; “Let’s give peace a chance”. It saw the participation of over 600 national and international athletes.

Meet the champions

Nine foreign countries were in participation against the decade instituted prize of ten million fcfa excluding taxes. The three winners of the senior male and female categories were all of Cameroon origin. Usheni Hassan wrote his name in the golden books for his first win of the senior male category in 4hrs 40mins 09secs. He was closely followed by 2021 champion, Ali Mohammadou in 4hrs 42mins 34secs. Abdou Amadou came third in 4hrs 45mins 06secs.

Since 1992, Cameroon has kept an unbroken spree of wins in both the senior male and female categories. Ngalim Lizette picked a third win during the 30th edition of the race after those in 2014 and 2017. This time taking more time than her previous held records but challenging however, that of her immediate predecessor who won in 5hrs 36mins 0s. Ngalim Lizette used 5hrs 24mins 41secs. In the second position, Njeyang Sydony used 5hrs 30mins 19secs to challenge the chariot of the gods while Tumi Macrina will use 5hrs 32mins 05secs to emerge third.

Organisational lapses

The prize of ten million instituted in 2014 has remained a called for concern according to many observers. They feel negotiations should be done inorder to boost it up especially with the coming in of telecommunication giants, MTN for a three years contract.

In the meantime, the race continuous to suffer from poor management. In a February 19 presser, barely three days to the race, it was made known that the official sponsor of the race was only concreted one week before. This had raised doubts about the quality of the 2025 race.

While many found the sound quality at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium unsatisfactory, where only those close to the official tribune could hear, press men for the umpteenth time lamented on the difficulty to identify athletes. The booklet containing the athletes names had not their jersey numbers. This caused confusion in identifying the athletes by the press.

It was another race of hope and the peoples of Buea turned out massively to support. Hoping that it gets better in subsequent editions to match international standards.