The national technical director of the Cameroonian Athletics Federation, Michel Nkolo, has expressed his satisfaction with the organization of the 31st edition of the Race of Hope. He also shared Cameroon's vision for its athletes who perform well in this iconic ascent of Mount Fako.
Nkolo stressed that performances vary from season to season, as the Race of Hope course is never identical due to the challenges posed by the mountain, including weather conditions and potential landslides. These factors can lead to changes in the length of the course. He noted that a rigorous casting was carried out during the selections for this edition.
According to Nkolo, strict criteria were applied to both national and foreign athletes to ensure the participation of the athletics elite in this unique race in the world. This approach, which he describes as a "calibration", involved setting a time limit for the achievement of certain performances, with the aim of giving more weight to the competition.
Internationally, participants had to register online, which allowed the national technical management to assess their rankings and select athletes who matched the vision of the discipline. This rigorous selection helped attract participants from 13 foreign countries, including renowned nations such as Uganda, Kenya, Mali, Tunisia and Costa Rica, thus enhancing the prestige of the 2026 Race of Hope.
Nkolo revealed a plan to encourage talented climbers to turn to marathons and half-marathons. He cited the example of Sarah Etonge, whose victory in the Race of Hope was not followed by success in the Libreville marathon, highlighting the need for adapted training and equipment. He deplored the lack of successful Cameroonian marathon runners at the African level, given the country's geographical potential.
Despite the challenges, Nkolo remains optimistic about the future of the Race of Hope, believing that the parameters put in place are bearing fruit. He refuted criticisms of the organization of the event, stressing that compliance with the rules is essential for the safety of all participants. He acknowledged that improvements are always possible and that the success rate of the organization is currently 90%, with the aim of reaching 110% next year.
The 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope took place on February 21, 2026, and saw Hamadou Ibrahim win in the senior men's category and Wirba Destiny Grace in the senior women's category.
