Mount Cameroon Race of Hope

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The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is an annual, televised footrace held at Mount Cameroon in the Southwest Province of Cameroon. The event begins at Molyko Sports Complex in Buea^[1] and follows a path up Mount Cameroon and back.^[2] Participants are divided into men's and women's divisions and further subdivided into professionals, youth, and casual runners.^[3] The winners in both the men's and women's professional divisions received a purse of 3 million francs CFA in 2007.^[4] Teams may enter the race and compete in the relay division.^[5] The first Race of Hope was in 1995.^[6] Since then, participation has steadily increased; there were 214 participants in 2005, 390 in 2006, and 643 from nine countries in 2007.^[1]

For many years, the race was organised and sponsored by Guinness under the name Guinness Mount Cameroon Race.^[2] In 2005, control of the event was taken by 12 local committees in Buea^[1] 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. The change to public control was controversial: In 2005, Mayor Charles Mbella Moki of the Buea Rural Council accused the organisers of mismanagement and proposed that Guinness to be given back full control.^[2] In 2006, the CAF cut the prize money to the winners by 25% without warning, reportedly to cover their membership fees in the organisation.^[7]

Cultural and sporting events take place in Buea during the race. These include artists, choral groups, and dancers;^[1] and basketball, handball, and volleyball tournaments.^[4] Local authorities sanction the event through the paramount chief of Buea, who climbs Mount Cameroon to petition the gods for their blessing.^[6]

[edit] Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Mbonwoh.
^ ^a ^b ^c Nana, "Mayor".
^ Nana, "Race Of Hope Winner".
^ ^a ^b Efande.
^ Nana & Mbunwe, "Teacher".
^ ^a ^b Vubem.
^ Nana & Mbunwe, "Winners Angry".

[edit] References

Efande, Peter (16 February 2007). "Ange Sama: 'We've Increased The Financial Package For Winners'". Cameroon Tribune. Accessed 20 February 2007.
Mbonwoh, Nkeze (16 February 2007). "All Set for Sunday's Race of Hope". Cameroon Tribune. Accessed 20 February 2007.
Nana, Walter Wilson (24 February 2005). "Buea Wants Guinness To Manage Race Of Hope - Mayor". The Post Online. Accessed 21 February 2007.
Nana, Walter Wilson (13 January 2006). "Race Of Hope Winner To Bag FCFA 3 Million". The Post Online. Accessed 21 February 2007.
Nana, Walter Wilson, and Innocent Mbunwe (27 February 2006). "2006 Mount Cameroon Race Of Hoope: Winners Angry With 25% Prize Slash". The Post Online. Accessed 21 February 2007.
Nana, Walter Wilson, and Innocent Mbunwe (1 March 2005). "Race Of Hope: Teacher Is New Champion, Etonge Confirms 'Queen Of The Mountain' Supremacy". The Post Online. Accessed 21 February 2007.
Vubem, Fred (14 February 2007). "Mt. Cameroon Race Mixed Commission Evaluates Preparations". Cameroon Tribune. Accessed 20 February 2007.