2018 Mt. Cameroon Race of Hope:

Godlove Gabsibum and Tata Carine Emerge Winners

By Yolland Mbombe & Boris Esono in Buea

Laureates of 2018 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope

The 23rd edition of the Mount Cameroon race of hope was run last Saturday February 17 in Buea with Godlove Gabsibuin emerging first in the senior male category.

            Godlove Gabsibuin emerged first from the forest and maintained his lead to the finish line at the Molyko stadium. He covered the 40km distance in 4hrs, 30mins, and 46secs. This victory makes him the first male to have won the race on 4 different occasions, after he did so in 2012, 2013 and 2016.

            Godlove Gabsibuin was closely followed by last year’s champion Fai Elvis Ndzedzeni (4hrs, 38mins and 20secs) from Lebialem and Kenyan runner Chelimo Luka in 4hrs, 40mins.

            It should be recalled that last year, Fai Elvis denied Godlove the chance to win his fourth title. Godlove was leading the race from the summit right down to the Buea Council Hall Building around Bongo Square when Fai Elvis emerged from behind running at break-neck speed to give him a run for his money.

            Spectators, who watched the race between the Buea Council Hall and the Baptist High School in Great Soppo, Buea, saw both athletes running neck to neck until Godlove who could no longer endure the pressure from a much younger athlete gave up his desired first position to Fai Elvis.

            This year was unlike last year as Godlove showed the desire and determination to finish the race in first position. He led the race from Hut 3 going up the mountain and showed no signs of giving up his lead. He maintained the lead to the top and down to the finish line.

            In the Female category, Tata Carine emerged winner in 5hrs, 26mins and 54secs. She was followed by 7 times champion Ngwaya Yvonne (5hrs, 57mins) and third was Tanyi Wingo Immaculate who did the race in 5hrs, 28mins and 23secs.

            In the juniors, the first woman to cross the finish line was Fonyuy Larrisa, while Saidou Souleymanou finished first in the boys category. Both are from the North West Region.

Remarkable Performance

            The most remarkable runner this year was the Kenyan Chelimo Luka. Last year he led the race to hut two but relinquished the lead to the Cameroonians as he had difficulties descending the mountain. 2018 was almost similar to 2017 as 2 Kenyans led the race reaching Hut Two. They were however bypassed by the Cameroonians Godlove Gapsibum and Fai Elvis.

            Given the difficulty which he faced last year one would have easily written him off. But the Kenyan Chelimo maintained the 3rd position descending from Hut Two to the finish line.

Controversies

            Like all the past editions of the Mount Cameroon race of hope, the 2018 edition was not void of controversies. For instance some athletes who were eliminated from the initial list finally took part in the race. According to information from the athletics federation and the state broadcaster, Godlove the names of Gabsibum, Fai Elvis and Simplice Ndongeh did not feature in the initial list of runners. But they all took part in the race.

            Meantime Lyonga Essome, son of Sarah Etonge was almost killed prior to the race while he was training. The injury suffered barred him from competing in this year’s race.

            Another disappointment was the absence of the much talked about Ambassador of the race, British Man Mike short.  Mike Short won the race in 1984 and 1985.

            Some five hundred athletes from 9 countries took part in the race with the furthest coming from Australia.