Athletes preparing for the 31st Mount Cameroon Race of Hope are now undertaking final training after 204 of them took part in a test race in Buea on Saturday, January 24.
It was one of many pre-selection races that usually hold in various parts of the country ahead of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. The main event is scheduled for February 21.
Mofor Jeremiah, a resident of Mile 14, Buea, won the men’s category for the third consecutive time, completing the race from Molyko Omnisport Stadium to the Intermediate Hut and back in 2 hours, 21 minutes.
He was followed by Johanes Moka, who finished in 2 hours and 25 minutes, and Fiemoh Vitalis, who came third in 2 hours and 27 minutes.
The women’s champion was Fai Joyce, who secured her second consecutive test race victory with a time of 3 hours and 9 minutes. She was followed by Lenjo Zalihatu (3 hours, 44 minutes) and Chiebe Laura (3 hours, 51 minutes).
The race began at around 7:50 am from the Molyko Omnisport Stadium under the supervision of Cameroon Athletics Federation President, Emmanuel Motomby Mbome, and Southwest Regional Athletics League President, Andrew Eteki Njoh.
For the first time, the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories received trophies and cash prizes, a novelty which Mr Eteki said was aimed at spurring excellence among local athletes.
Champions received 100,000 FCFA each (75,000 FCFA cash plus a trophy), runners-up received 75,000 FCFA, and third-place finishers were awarded 50,000 FCFA alongside a trophy.
“The new innovation that we had this year was giving cash prizes and trophies,” said Andrew Eteki Njoh.
“For the last 10 years, we have not seen this. Today, we have given the first male athlete 100,000… the second athlete 75,000 with his trophy and the third 50,000. So, too, with the female athletes, and this is an innovation that we hope that will continue.”
These prizes were sponsored by MTN Cameroon, Groove and Cosmo Cosmetics, whom Andrew Eteki Njoh deeply appreciated for making the test race spectacular.
Men’s test race champion, Mofor Jeremiah, expressed his determination to win the main title, currently held by Usheni Hassan.
“The race was not easy but by the grace of God I made it. For me to win this one is by the grace of God and God can still push me to win the main race. And for me I believe in myself that I’m going to make it,” he told reporters.
Women’s champion, Fai Joyce, acknowledged the grueling journey and vowed to capitalize on her challenges to improve ahead of the main event.
“I’m really happy that I participated in the test race today. It was to test myself to test my capability, how much I can be able to give out on that day. I just wish it was mountain race for me, but unfortunately, it is not,” she said.
She added: “I’m happy because from the experiences and many things I’ve learned on the track it is far beyond what we have been training and seeing. So it is more like I will go back and work harder.”
On February 21, Joyce will be competing against experienced runners like Tatah Carine, a five-time champion who has promised to bounce back after missing out from the two previous editions of the race.
The Athletics Federation officials are now putting in place all necessary measures to ensure a hitcht-free event. This includes clearing the race track, which remained bushy at the time of the test race and constrained running for athletes.
