The fourth edition of the Cameroon Athletics Challenge kicked off on April 12, 2026, in Douala, marking the start of a series of competitions aimed at preparing Cameroonian athletes for the Douala International Marathon. This first stage brought together 1250 athletes and highlighted six winners in various events.
The half marathon was won by Chadian athlete Bienvenu Aboubakar, who covered the 21 kilometers in 1 hour 7 minutes and 58 seconds. This victory marks a strong comeback for Aboubakar after a period of absence due to injury. For the women, Frida Hassanate finished first with a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 45 seconds.
In the 10-kilometer walk event, Gaston Petnko won with a time of 47 minutes 18 seconds and 51 hundredths, while Mireille Meffo was the fastest among women in 1 hour 5 minutes 2 seconds and 88 hundredths. The 10-kilometer race saw André Abba Salé's victory in 30 minutes 56 seconds 2 hundredths, and Liliane Nguetsa among women in 36 minutes 5 seconds and 1 hundredth.
The promoter of the event, Annie Eliane Nana, expressed her satisfaction with the progress of this first stage and thanked the public of Douala, especially the people of the 4th district, for their massive participation. She also emphasized the importance of partners, including the Douala 4th district municipality, for the success of the event. The next event is scheduled for May 10 in Kribi.
The Cameroon Athletics Challenge 2026 is scheduled to take place in five cities in Cameroon, including Bafoussam in June, Yaoundé in July and Ngaoundéré in August. These competitions serve as preparation for the 9th edition of the Douala International Marathon, scheduled for October.
