2017 Mount Cameroon Race:

 NW athletes shine as SW runners disappoint

By Boris Esono&NjaptehMacwalter in Buea

Admit socio-political upheavals in the NW, SW regions, the 22nd edition of the Mount Cameroon race of hope under the patronage of the president of the Republic, HE Paul Biya and represented by the Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Mr. BidoungMkpatt, held last Saturday 25 February 2017. The Mountain challenge drew close to 500 athletes both nationally and internationally with athletes from Great Britain, France, Japan, USA, Nigeria and Kenya.

                Over all, athletes from the NW region stole the show, leading in almost all categories.

                In the male and female categories, Fai Elvis and NgalimLisette respectively emerged first with each grabbing the cash prize of FCFA 10million with records of 4hr 24mins and 5hrs 22mins respectively.

                Police officer, Nyame Roland, from the Center Region emerged champion in the Male veteran category preventing an all NW show.

                Fai Elvis overpowered GodloveGabsibuim, who led the race in ascending the ‘’chariot of the gods’’ while LyongaEsombe, son to Sarah Etonge saved the face of the SW finishing third in 4hrs 2mins.

                Meanwhile, in the senior female category, NgalimLisette, NWR, arrived the finished line 5hrs 11mins from kickoff time blockading six times champion Ngwaya Yvonne from getting her seventh title. WirngoKpuufanl still from the land of Abakwa got the bronze medal completing the 38KM race in 5hrs 28mins.

                The resistant ‘’queen of the mountain’’ Sarah Etonge arrived eighth and was received by a joyous crowd. Sarah Etonge said she took part in this race to keep fit and to run for peace and unity of Cameroon.

                “I could not effectively compete with the young ladies given my advanced age,’’ Sarah said.

                Elsewhere, in the male veteran category, 2015 male veteran champion Nyame Roland from the centre region finished first. Bishiti Paul from Ngoketunja Division and Muan Karl Emmanurl, all from NW, came second and third respectively.

                30-year old Ndi Alice from Kambe, 52-year old former champion, Ngeh Immaculate from mount Oku Athletic Club and 50-year old CarineBondkieh, last year winner arrived in their respective first, second and third in the female veteran category.

Male Junior Category

Ahmadou Ibrahim, 19-year-old

NuhuSaidou, 15-year-old

Abdou Sale, 18-year-old

Female Junior Category

Muh Faith, 16-year-old

Tata Basiratu, 15-year-old

TumiMacrima, 15-year-old

Ugly Face of the Race

                Muandan Roland Mbah from NWR denied competing in the senior male category. He claimed to have arrived last Friday February 24 but was told to appear the following morning by 5am. ‘’ I was here by 5am as instructed, but the Athletic Federation still refused to give me a jersey or even a number to enable me to run even after I presented my registration badge.

                Meanwhile, an athlete was knocked down by a taxi cab at sandpit entrance while ascending the mountain. The incident was blamed on the absence of police to control traffic. He was transferred to the Buea Regional Hospital for medical care.

                Also, pressmen frowned at the absence of press kits, the absence of internet connection and very limited press badges. For an event of that magnitude, not even the list of runners was provided to the press to help them in their work.

                Another issue was the unavailability of doctors at some strategic points of the race such as Hut-2 to care for injured persons. This was bitterly felt by one relay team who could not continue because their partner was critically hurt with not medical checkup.

                The 2017 mount Cameroon race has come and gone but nobody can vividly attest to the fact that they saw the cash prize being handed to the various winners as it has been postulated by the Athletic President.