Hamadou Bi Ibrahim and Wirba Mary Grace have etched their names into the record books as first-time champions at the 2026 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, in a display of endurance, resilience, and sheer determination.
Hailing from a family of modest means in Awing, Santa Subdivision, Hamadou Bi Ibrahim rose to become champion of the prestigious race, an achievement he said would fill his family with pride.
He crossed the finish line in 4 hours, 24 minutes, and 42 seconds, surpassing the previous year’s winning time set by reigning champion Usheni Hassan, who completed the 2025 race in 4 hours, 40 minutes, and 09 seconds. This marked Hamadou’s third attempt at the gruelling 40-kilometre ascent.
Gabsibuin Evarette, brother to five-time champion and the most successful male athlete in the competition’s history, Godlove Gabsibuin, secured second place, while Seni Bi Kadiri claimed third.
“I am very happy I won the race today,” said an elated Hamadou. “My first year, I came ninth; my second year I was seventh, and this year I came first. So I am very happy.”
The victory comes with a cash prize of FCFA 10 million, a life-changing sum for the athlete. “I’m from a poor family. We don’t have anything. This is happiness because I will make my parents, my mum, my wife, and my son very happy, because we don’t have anything. I’m from a poor family,” he shared.
Describing his journey up and down the 4,000-metre volcano, he revealed that the descent posed the greater challenge. “The race is difficult while coming down. I had no difficulties while going up,” he noted.
Among his principal challengers were former champions Elvis Nsabinla, Adamu Issa Bouba, Ali Mohamadou, and Usheni Hassan, none of whom featured in the top three.
Wirba Grace Claims Women’s Title
In the women’s senior category, Wirba Mary Grace, competing for only the second time, delivered a commanding performance to finish in 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 11 seconds. Njeyang Sydony followed in second place with a time of 5 hours, 24 minutes, and 08 seconds, while five-time champion Tatah Carine took third in 5 hours, 30 minutes, and 18 seconds.
A secondary school teacher in Bui Division and a mother of one, Grace had finished fourth in her senior category debut the previous year. She described her victory as divinely ordained.
“I feel very happy for this victory that God has given me today. I can say it’s the victory of God and the victory of the people that stood by me, not my victory alone,” she said, attributing her success to endurance and three months of rigorous training.
Now taking home FCFA 10 million alongside various gifts from sponsors, she admitted her mind was yet to fully process the achievement. Asked about her plans for the prize money, she responded: “No plans for now. No plans, just need to relax. And we’ll see how it goes first. So, I really don’t want to talk about the prize now, because my mind is not yet relaxed. I can’t even believe that it is reality yet.”
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Athletes
Both champions now stand as role models for younger athletes dreaming of conquering the Race of Hope.
Hamadou Bi Ibrahim offered simple yet powerful advice: “Train hard to become a champion. If you don’t train hard, you cannot become a champion.”
Wirba Grace encouraged those who did not make the podium this year to persevere. “If I have to address other athletes, I would say never give up. Always be courageous because when God decides that it’s your time, it’s your time. There are athletes who have persisted for more than ten years before they ever mounted the podium. It’s because they have been resilient. They have been patient. So, you should never give up if it is your passion. And for others whose passion is not sports, there are people who have talents in diverse areas. Follow where your heart is. If not athletics, you can excel somewhere else.”
A Successful Edition
The 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope attracted 604 athletes from 14 countries, including Cameroon. The event was presided over by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, accompanied by the President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, Emmanuel Motomby Mbome; the Governor of the Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai; and several other officials.
Minister Mouelle Kombi commended the Athletics Federation for a successful organisation, as well as the security and defence forces for providing ample security throughout the competition.
Thousands of spectators filled the Molyko Omnisport Stadium to capacity, cheering athletes as they approached the finish line.
Race Statistics
Senior Men:
- Hamadou Bi Ibrahim – 4 hours, 24 minutes, 42 seconds
- Gabsibuin Evarette – 4 hours, 36 minutes, 28 seconds
- Seni Bi Kadiri – 4 hours, 39 minutes, 39 seconds
Senior Women:
- Wirba Mary Grace – 5 hours, 22 minutes, 11 seconds
- Njeyang Sydony – 5 hours, 24 minutes, 08 seconds
- Tatah Carine – 5 hours, 30 minutes, 18 seconds
Junior Men:
- Kari Seth Bolack
- Harouna Umaru
- Musa Umaro
Junior Women:
- Chinwen Sandrine Ntumnwi
- Nforbi Josephine Kwasinwi
- Agabsibuin Kindness Njodzok
