The race took place Saturday, February 27, 2021, in Buea, capital of Cameroon’s South West Region.

Ali Mohamadou covered the 38-kilometer racecourse from the Molyko Omnisport Stadium to the summit of Mount Cameroon and back in 4hours, 30 minutes, 46 seconds, emerging overall champion and first in the male category. He smiled home with a trophy and cash prize of FCFA 10 million.

Last year’s champion, Godlove Gabsibuin arrived second to secure a FCFA 7 million cash prize. He is the most successful athlete in the male category with a record five wins. He emerged champion in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020.

2017 champion, Fai Elvis Ndzedzeni emerged third and walked home with a FCFA 5 million cash prize. Kosge Herni from Kenya finished in the fourth position while Lyonga Essombe, son of the Queen of the Mountain Sarah Etonge was fifth.

In the female category, 25-year-old Mildred Kitang won gold while last year’s winner, Tata Carine finished second. Kenyan athlete, Jepkosegei Agness emerged third. Just like their male counterparts, the winners in the female category walked home with FCFA 10, 7, and 5 million respectively.

Authorities of the Cameroon Athletics Federation said 516 athletes participated in the 2021 Race of Hope. Given that 550 athletes took part in last year’s race, the decree this year has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the COVID-19 travel restrictions, the number of foreign athletes in this year’s Race of Hope moved from 17 from six countries in 2020 to 20 from nine countries in 2021.

“We are satisfied with the organization of this year’s race. We are also satisfied with the performances. We are particularly satisfied with the participating delegations. We registered ten delegations in 2021,” said Bernard Okalia Bilai, governor of Cameroon’s South West Region. “The nine foreign delegations coming from all over the world gave the competition the international color it has always had. We congratulate the athletic federation. We also thank the population of Buea who came out massively to cheer the athletes.”

Motomby Mbome Emmanuel, National President of Cameroon’s Athletics Federation said the Kenyan athletes have promised to spring surprises in 2022.

 “I am satisfied because our athletes have shown that they have been on the tracts all this while and what makes me happier is that a Kenyan was among the three finalists in the female category,” he said. It is an international race and it is good when foreign athletes mount the podium. We also expected a foreign male athlete to make it among the top three. In any case, our athletes have shown that they train very well. The Kenyans have promised that they will come back next year to challenge this year’s winners.”

“For 2022, the first promise is that the prizes are going to increase. We will recognize all the winners of the race who are still alive,” Motomby concluded.