“History was written on the slopes of Mount Cameroon – and it was wrapped in Toghu,” said Team Toghu Marathoner, as they celebrated a resounding victory on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as its athletes triumphed at the 31st edition of the prestigious Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, held in Buea. The team not only claimed top honours but also delivered a powerful message of cultural pride and social awareness to thousands of spectators lining the volcanic mountain routes.
Wirba Mary Grace etched her name into the record books by securing first place in the Women’s Senior Category, conquering the rugged mountain terrain draped in traditional Toghu fabric. Her victory was more than an athletic achievement, as it went on to record a statement of identity and purpose. The team had six runners.
Wirba ran as part of Team Toghu Marathoner, the brainchild of Cameroon’s most celebrated long-distance runner, Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy. Known globally as the “Toghu Marathoner,” Fondzenyuy has completed marathons on all seven continents, always racing in full Toghu regalia to project Cameroonian culture onto the world stage. His missions extend far beyond sport, however, as he champions autism awareness and neurodiversity advocacy through the Amom Foundation, which he founded.
In Buea, the team was represented on race day by Nganlay Nadege Laure, who coordinated the athletes and ensured that every runner carried the team’s message to the mountain’s heights.
Wirba was joined by five other remarkable athletes from Team Toghu Marathoner, all of whom braved the challenging ascent with courage and determination. Each runner sported the distinctive Toghu material strapped over their waists and bodies, transforming the race into a vibrant procession of Cameroonian heritage.
The message emblazoned across their regalia read: “Team Toghu Marathoner – Runners With Heart For Autism And Inclusive Education.”
What appeared to spectators as colourful athletic wear was, in fact, a rolling manifesto, a declaration that sport can serve a higher purpose.
While Wirba claimed the podium, the entire team shared in the triumph of visibility and advocacy. Every step taken on the mountain’s steep trails amplified the call for greater understanding and support for children on the autism spectrum.
“You may not all stand on the podium, but you stood for something powerful,” the team said in a statement following the race.
The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, one of Africa’s most demanding athletic events, draws competitors from across the continent who test their endurance against the slopes of West Africa’s highest peak. For Team Toghu Marathoner, the 2026 edition represented an opportunity to demonstrate that athletic excellence and social consciousness can walk – and run – hand in hand.
As the team celebrates Wirba Mary Grace’s historic victory, it also looks ahead to future races where the Toghu will continue to fly and where the message of autism awareness will reach ever wider audiences.
