Elvis Nsambinla emerged winner in the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea, capital town of the South West region of Cameroon on Saturday, February 24, 2023.
He displayed resilience finishing the 39 km race in 4 hours and 48 minutes, a record inferior to his previous record in 2022 by completing the race in 4 hours and 32 minutes as winner.
Few kilometres to the finishing line, Elvis a native of Bui Division in the North West region of Cameroon overtook last year’s winner, Ahmadou Abdou to the amazement of the enthusiastic crowd.
In the women’s category, Adamu Irene who also hails from the North West region was crowned queen, closely followed by Lisette Ngalim from the South West region.
Meanwhile, in the junior men’s category, Kari Seth Bolack brilliantly emerged as winner, followed by Yaouba Abdou and Sale Saibou
The Junior women’s category saw Sever Telma as winner with Layu Nancy Bih and Chepkoeck Eileen coming in the second and third position respectively.
It should be noted that the Junior athletes end at hut 1, before returning to the Molyko Omnisport stadium to determine the winner.
Despite a relatively peaceful event in the midst of the armed conflict since 2017, Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir passed away after taking part in the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
Finishing the race in the 16th position in the Senior Men’s category, the 32-year-old is said to have slumped severally and all attempts by the medical team to rescue him proved insufficient.
In the midst of speculating a heart attack caused his demise, South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, confirmed that the medical unit is yet to know what killed Charles.
News of Kipsang’s death came after winners of the race had received their prizes and gifts.
It was the fourth time he was participating at the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, which saw over 19 Kenyan athletes in action.
Charles’ death makes it two for Kenya within two weeks after Kelvin Kiptum aged 24 died in a road accident on February 11, 2024 in Kaptagat.
This year’s race, gathered approximately 600 athletes from across four continents participated converging at the starting point in Molyko Stadium to ascent Mount Cameroon standing at 4,095 meters, the highest peak in West Africa.
The race, held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, unfolded in Buea, the capital of the South West region of Cameroon. Despite the city being affected by a separatist armed conflict since 2017, the event proceeded under stringent security measures. Threats from separatist fighters cast a shadow over the race, prompting authorities to bolster security arrangements. While last year’s race was marred by explosions, this year witnessed a relatively peaceful event, although the streets of Buea remained deserted due to a declared “ghost town” day by separatists
Some 602 athletes from across four continents participated in the race, converging at the starting point in Molyko Stadium and culminating at the iconic Bongo Square. The race, involving the ascent of Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa standing at 4,095 meters, tested the limits of human endurance and athleticism.
Initiated in 1973 by the Guinness Cameroon Company and supported by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, the Cameroon Athletics Federation, and various private partners, the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has as objective to promote sports, tourism and peace in the country.