Buea: North West in Control

The 2018 Mount Cameroon Race

The 2018 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope that took place at the Molyko Omisport Stadium in Fako Division South West Region of Cameroon saw the domination of athletes from the North West Region of Cameroon despite the ongoing Anglophone Solution in the Region. This year Race of Hope took place under heavy security.

The race brought together over 250 athletes from different countries and regions of the country as compared to last year Race that had over 400 athletes in attendance. 

The Race was chaired by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education Bidoung Mkpatt accompanied by the Governor of the South West Region Bernard Okalia B. and other top ranking government officials.

Jersey number 167, Godlove Gabsebuin withe winner of the 23rd Edition of the Mount

Cameroon race of Hope 2018.

He used 4:28 Minute to ascend and descend the Chariot of the gods approximately 4100 meters above sea level.

This is not the first time Godlove Gabsebuin is occupying the first position, he came first in 2012, 2013, 2015, and now 2018. In 2017 he was the first male to arrive at the summit of the mount Cameroon but came second at the Molyko Omisport stadium.

Godlove Gabsebuin is from the North West Region of Cameroon in Donga Mantung a village located in Nkambe Division. Fai Elvis Ndzendzeni with Jerssy number 155, an athletes from the North West Region secured the 2rd position of the 2018 Edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in under 4:30 Minutes. Chelimo Luka Kipkemoi from Kenya came third after being the first to ascend the chariot of the gods he was overtaken by Godlove Gabsebuin, Fai Elvis Ndzendzeni at the level of descending around Hut 2 and the intermediary Hut the most dangerous place of Mount Cameroon.

Female Category: Tata Carine came First, Ngalim Lizzette came second and the third in Ngwaya Yvonne all from the North West Region of Cameroon.

The 23rd edition of the renowned mount Cameroon race of hope came to past today, with a participation of 500 athletes from junior, senior to Veteran category, putting smiles on the faces of the victors and sadness on those on the vanquished. Others were just to have been part of the activity, though their performance merited no award.

The results of the 23rd edition of the Mt Cameroon Race of Hope had results as follows;

SENIOR MALE CATEGORY

1st position: Godlove Gamsibuin 4hrs 30mins.

2nd position: Fai Elvis, 4hrs 38 minutes.

3rd position: Kenyan Shelimo Luka 4hrs 40mins

SENIOR FEMALE CATEGORY.

1st: Tatah Carine 5hrs 26minutes.

2nd: Lyzette Ngalim.

3rd: Ntarim Wirngo Emmaculate.

Veteran awards

Mr. Tanange, 75yrs old

The junior male and female category was composed of athletes as young as 15yrs old. For the male junior category, all three top best hailed from the north west of Cameroon.

Godlove Gamsibuin and Tatah Carine both go home with gold medals and a sum of 10 million francs cfa each, Fai Elvis and Lyzette Ngalim take home a silver medal and a sum of 5 million francs each and finally, Shelimo Luka and Wirngo Emmaculate take home bronze medals.

The first prize is 10 million, 2rd prize 5 Million and third - 3 Million cfa for both categories.

Mt. Cameroon race of Hope 

Where It's At

Mount Cameroon, situated 180 miles west of Yaounde, is the highest mountain in West Africa. It is still an active volcano having last erupted only five years ago. It is seen as a sacred place for the local Bakweri people who live on its surrounding slopes; they refer to it as Mongo-mo-Ndemi, or Mountain of Thunder. 

What Happens at the Race of Hope?

The mountain is famous around the world for the annual Race of Hope, which takes place in the last weekend of January, or the first weekend of February. The course, covering a marathon length of 26 miles, is steep, exhausting, and unforgiving.

This gruelling competition attracts competitors and spectators from around the globe. More than 500 runners battle it out to be the first to race to the summit of Mount Cameroon and back again. Since it began in 1973, the winners have all been from the host nation and the Cameroonians are unwilling to relinquish their title. The star of this endurance race is a woman called Sarah Etonge, who lives close to Mount Cameroon. She has been dubbed 'the Queen of the Mountain' as in recent years she has won the race four times in a row. She tries to run to the top at least once a week as part of her dedicated training programme. Her accomplishments and dedication is even more of an achievement as when she is not scaling the mountain she is a single mother to seven children.

Watching the Race and Other Trekking Routes

The starting point for the Race of Hope is Buea. This small and unassuming town is swamped with over 50,000 people who come to watch the race. This is also where tourists can start the climb on the Guinness Track - the most direct route to the summit. The best way to do this is through the Ecotourism Centre, located opposite the Buea Market and beneath the local council office. A small fee is payable for a permit and the money is used to preserve the mountain's unique ecosystem, wildlife, and plants.

The climb takes two to five days and the mixture of steep, stony slopes and alpine conditions at the summit make it a challenging expedition. The Ecotourism Office insists you hire a guide, which is a good idea on this unpredictable terrain. They also issue you with porters who will help carry your equipment, food, and water for the climb. Bring good walking shoes, warm waterproof clothing, a sleeping bag, tent and enough food and water to be sufficient.