The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, also known as “La Course de l’Espoir,” is an annual footrace held at Mount Cameroon in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. This grueling competition attracts competitors and spectators from around the globe.
Every February, the quiet town of Buea transforms into the heartbeat of Africa’s most grueling endurance challenge. Thousands gather at the base of West Africa’s tallest mountain, their eyes fixed on the dark outline of the summit that towers 4,040 meters above the Atlantic coast. For Cameroonians, this event is more than a competition - it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity. The sound of drums echoes through the town, the streets fill with dancers, vendors, and spectators, and banners wave in the wind. The whole region comes alive.
With a rich history dating back to 1973, the race experienced a brief pause before its revival in 1995. Since then, the event has experienced steady growth, with an increasing number of participants from Cameroon and beyond.
The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope (in French, "La Course de l'Espoir") is an annual, televised footrace held at Mount Cameroon in the Southwest Region of Cameroon in January or February.
The race begins in Molyko Stadium, in the heart of Buea. The full race covers about 38 kilometers, but it’s unlike any other marathon on the continent. The elevation gain alone is over 3,000 meters from the starting point to the summit. The terrain shifts dramatically - from paved streets to red earth, dense rainforest, grassland savannah, rocky slopes, and volcanic ash fields. Runners must pass key points such as Hut 1, Hut 1B (the intermediary hut), Hut 2, and Hut 3, before touching the summit, often surrounded by mist, wind, and near-freezing temperatures. Most runners complete the race in 4 to 6 hours, though for many, simply finishing is a victory.
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The event begins at Molyko Sports Complex in Buea and follows a path up Mount Cameroon and back; The course runs a distance of 38 kilometers (24 mi). Participants are divided into men's and women's divisions and further subdivided into professionals, youth, and casual runners.
For many of these competitors, Mt. Cameroon isn’t just a race. It’s their best shot at achieving fame and fortune in a country short on both. All the competitors’ hopes and aspirations come together on the biggest sporting day in Cameroon. The winners will achieve lifelong fame.
The best way to do this is through the Ecotourism Centre, located opposite the Buea Market and beneath the local council office. The climb normally 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.
The first Race of Hope was in 1995. Since then, participation has steadily increased; there were 214 participants in 2005, 390 in 2006, and 643 from nine countries in 2007. As of 2010, the winners since the race's inception had all been Cameroonians.
Over the years, the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has introduced several innovations to enhance the participant experience. In 2015, the event featured the Olympic flame, which toured the country prior to the race. The 20th edition of the Guinness Mount Cameroon race of hope was scheduled for February 14, 2015. The information was made public in a joint press conference granted by the president of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, Emmanuel Motomby Mbome, and the General manager of Guinness Cameroun, Baker Magunda. During the Press Conference it was made known that the mode of registration and price (10 million FCFA) remain the same but there will be several innovations this year notably the Olympic flame that would go round the country prior to the race. The flame of hope will visit every qualifier race notably in Ngaoundere, then move to Batie, Bamenda, Yaounde, Douala, and finally Buea. On each lap of the tour, Guinness Cameroon will carry out some activities of general interest such as constructing water catchments, schools, and hospitals.
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Despite the growth and innovations, the event has faced challenges, including the Anglophone Crisis in 2019, which resulted in marginal attendance.
What makes the Race of Hope so powerful isn’t just the distance - it’s the meaning behind it. For Cameroonians, Mount Cameroon isn’t just a mountain. Every year, the race brings together people from every walk of life - old and young, rich and poor, professional and amateur. Some run for glory. For many, it’s deeply emotional. Some cry when they reach the summit, others when they cross the finish line. The exhaustion, the pain, and the pride blend into a feeling that words can hardly capture.
Physical training usually involves hill sprints, long-distance runs, bodyweight exercises, and breathing drills to prepare for the altitude. At some point on the mountain - often near Hut 2 or the rocky section just below the summit - every runner faces a breaking point. The body screams to stop, the lungs burn, and the legs feel like lead. What keeps them going is willpower.
The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope takes place in February, chosen because it’s one of the driest months in Buea. Still, the mountain has its moods. Down at the base, the weather is hot and humid, often above 30°C. Rain can fall unexpectedly, turning the trails slippery and treacherous. Mist can roll in, blinding visibility. The wind near the top can be fierce enough to knock a person off balance. The weather is one reason guides and porters play such a big role during the race for non-competitive participants and tourists who come to hike during the same season.
The most celebrated is Sarah Etonge, often called the Queen of the Mountain. She has been dubbed ‘the Queen of the Mountain’ as in recent years she has won the race four times in a row. A mother of seven, she won the race multiple times in the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a national icon. Her discipline, humility, and endurance captured the hearts of millions.
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Sarah Etonge, "Queen of the Mountain"
Then there’s Gaston Nchango, one of the earlier champions who set the standard for younger runners.
Beyond the competition, the Race of Hope is a festival. On race day, thousands line the roads, cheering as runners sprint past. Drummers beat rhythms that seem to lift tired feet, women ululate, and children run alongside athletes for a few meters before peeling off. For visitors, it’s the best time to experience Buea’s culture - a blend of colonial history, mountain tradition, and youthful spirit. At the finish line, it’s not just about medals. It’s about survival, unity, and hope.
The first race took place in 1973. For many years, the race was organised and sponsored by Guinness under the name Guinness Mount Cameroon Race. In 2005, control of the event was taken by 12 local committees in Buea and representatives of the national Cameroon Athletics Federation (CAF) and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. The budget in 2007 was 130 million francs CFA, the bulk of which was provided by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. About 5,000 visitors come to Buea each year to view the race. Cultural and sporting events take place in Buea.
In 1972, a group of tourists from France and Britain; Charput, Michon and Fischer, who resided and worked in Cameroon at the time, alongside their children, visited the Mountain. One of them worked as the General Manager of Guinness Cameroon. As these tourists were on their way back to town, the decided to encourage their children by promising to offer a prize to whoever reaches the house first. The following evening, the tourists, who resided at the Buea Mountain Hotel, decided to organize a party whereby all the porters and guides who accompanied them to the mountain were invited. While feasting, they began talking about their experiences and the zeal their children while coming back knowing they will earn a gift. This anxiety to make something at the end caused them to of that tedious journey which their children expressed caused them to take the challenge of organizing a walking race to the summit, which at the end resulted to a running race.
In 1973, officials of Guinness met government for authorization to organize the race. The show took place at BTTC field in Buea (now known as BHS). Eventually, due to limited space, the venue of the race was moved to about 400 meters from the Agric Show ground to the tourism office. As time went on, the number of contestants kept increasing. The race was again moved from the tourism office to the old stadium at Buea Town. After honoring the wish of President Amadou Ahidjo to organize the race on March 10, the race found its favorite month to be February.
The first participants of this race did not get things easy. The environmental condition of the mountain was not suitable for them. There was also no road traced for the athletes to follow; they all had to follow the path of hunters. In 1973, 140 athletes contested. The first three were rewarded as follows: FCFA 30,000, 10 cartons of Guinness drinks, FCFA 20,000, eight cartons of drinks and FCFA 10,000 and six cartons of drinks, respectively. The following year, the prize increased to FCFA 60,000, FCFA 40,000 and FCFA 20,000 with the same number of cartons of drinks. Guinness Cameroon came back in 1982 with a new spirit, the prize was increased to FCFAS 500,000 to first athlete, FCFA 300,000 and FCFA 200,000 to the second and third respectively. As people realized that this could be an opportunity to make money, the number of athletes increased from 140 to 500.
From 1973 to 1985, two athletes were noticed for being the fasted in descending and ascending; Lekunze Leku and Mike Short, respectively.
Eventually, the organisation of the race changed hands from Guinness Cameroon to the Ministry of Youth and Sport and was renamed the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
The 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope saw participants from the Northwest Region dominate the senior men’s and women’s categories. Elvis Nsabinla emerged victorious in the senior men’s category, while Irene Adamu Kwha took the top spot in the senior women’s category.
The theme for last years’ race was “Unis dans l’Espoir” translated “United in Hope”. The first male, Godlove Gavsebywne emerged the winner of the race with a spectacular time of 4hr 3min which is 20 minutes faster than the previous record time. The race typically kicks-off at 7:00am with the dispatch of the various categories, that is to say, Relay, Blind, Junior, Veteran, and senior categories. Yvonne Ngwanya (three times straight female winner of the race) emerged victor of the race for the female senior category again, finishing the race in less than five hours. This would be the first time a woman has finished the race in less than five hours. Queen of the Mountain, Sarah Etonge emerged fourth in this years’ edition coming from a 3 years of retirement. Finally the last athlete, Harold Marcel Nourel, Rang; hailing from Holand, arrived to the stadium to receive a cash price dubbed “Struggle and Perseverance” which is annually given out to the last person to successfully finish the race.
Past Winners and Records
The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has seen many remarkable athletes over the years. Here’s a glimpse of some notable winners:
| Year | Men's Winner | Women's Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | John Ekema | N/A |
| 1974 | David Ngou Njombe | N/A |
| 1975 | Amos Ndumbe Evambe | N/A |
| 1976-1978 | Fr. Walters Stifter | N/A |
| 1983, 1985, 1986 | N/A | Mojoko Ngonja Emilia |
| Late 1990s-Early 2000s | N/A | Sarah Etonge (multiple wins) |
Note: This table is not exhaustive but represents some of the notable winners throughout the race's history.
As preparations are underway for the 30th edition, the stakes are high for the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. All rights reserved.
As people realized that this could be an opportunity to make money, the number of athletes increased from 140 to 500.
For professional runners, entry fees are modest - around 5,000 to 10,000 CFA, depending on the category. For visitors or adventure seekers who want to experience the route outside of race day, Ndolo Travels offers organized Mount Cameroon Race Trails - guided hikes following the same path as the marathon. Over the years, the Race of Hope has gained attention beyond Cameroon. Media outlets like the BBC and Al Jazeera have covered the race, capturing its energy, the determination of the athletes, and the raw beauty of the landscape. That’s what makes it special. It’s not commercialized or distant.
The Race of Hope isn’t just about athleticism. For the people of Buea and the Southwest, it’s a moment of pride and togetherness. For the runners, it’s a personal test. For the spectators, it’s a chance to be inspired. Every step up that mountain is a metaphor for life in Cameroon - full of struggle, beauty, and hope.
Mount Cameroon Race
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