By Macdella Eyong Bessong
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Dr. Sarah Liengu Etonge once again defended her title as “Queen of the Mountain” by being the first woman to cross the finish line in the Female Veterans Category for the second successive year during the 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
Her victory did not come as a surprise to many. Over the years, she has consistently impressed and flown high the flag of the region, especially at a time when it had failed to produce a winner for many years.
For decades, she has been known as the “Queen of the Mountain,” a distinction never awarded to any other competitor, male or female. It is a title earned through sweat, discipline, determination, and her unmatched ability to defend her crown four consecutive years and seven times overall, making her one of the two most decorated winners of the race. She remains the first woman to win the race a record seven times.
Sarah’s first victory in the Mount Cameroon Race came in 1996. For four consecutive years, her name dominated the senior women’s category until she was dethroned the following year by Ngwang Catherine.
Determined not to give up, she reclaimed the top position in 2001. In 2005, she stood on the gold podium for the last time in that category. She took a bow in 2015 but returned for the 30th edition of the race in the veterans category, which she has dominated since her comeback. It is proof that true greatness does not fade with time. Champions may retire, but they are never tired.
On 12 March 2005, Sarah Etonge was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in mountaineering by Professor Emeritus Lydia Luma of the Cameroon Education Corporation.
In 2006, the city of Buea unveiled a statue in her honour, the second municipal statue ever constructed in the city and the first since that of Otto von Bismarck.
Many published biographies indicate 1967 as her year of birth. However, as was common in earlier years when births were rarely documented, some personal references suggest she may have been born in 1964, which would make her 62 years old in 2026, a claim she has not publicly disputed.
Like Tatah Carine, who returned after two years to answer the call of motherhood and finished third in the 2026 edition, Sarah proves that motherhood does not weaken a woman who chooses to stay strong. Instead, it strengthens her.
Widowed at a very young age after becoming a mother at just 14, she navigated life’s challenges while raising seven children. She watched them grow and today sees them become parents themselves. Beyond the medals and recognition, she is a proud family woman: a mother of seven and a grandmother of 27.
In honouring women like Dr. Sarah Liengu Etonge, we celebrate not only individual triumph but also the collective strength of women who refuse to be defined by circumstances. Their stories remind us of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in empowering women, regardless of background or ability.
As she gradually moves toward retirement, the applause grows louder. She remains an inspiration to generations and a lasting symbol of endurance and resilience.
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