Mount Cameroon Race Track Finally Cleared After Environmental Dispute

By Angu Lesley

The race track for the 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has finally been cleared, days after a disagreement between athletics officials and conservation authorities delayed preparations for Cameroon’s most iconic sporting event.

The traditional burning of the trail, a practice long used to open up the route from the foothills of Buea to the summit of Mount Cameroon, was initially halted following objections from the Mount Cameroon National Park authorities, who cited environmental concerns.

Athletes who took part in a test race last Saturday raised alarm over the state of the course, complaining that thick vegetation and overgrown sections made running difficult and potentially dangerous.

Andrew Eteki Njoh, Regional President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation for the South West, said the delay stemmed from the refusal of park officials to authorise controlled burning — a method historically used by the indigenous Bakweri people to clear the path ahead of the race.

According to Mr Eteki, park authorities instead recommended manual clearing, a proposal he described as impractical given the terrain and the distance involved, particularly between the savannah zone and the volcanic summit.

Despite the earlier standoff, residents of Buea reported seeing flames winding down the mountain late on Tuesday night, confirming that the track had finally been burned and opened up in time for the race.

The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, often described as “the Race of the Gods,” is one of Africa’s toughest endurance competitions. Athletes race from the Molyko Stadium in Buea to the summit of Mount Cameroon — West Africa’s highest peak at over 4,000 metres — before descending back to the finish line.

First held in 1973, the annual event attracts elite runners from across Cameroon and beyond, alongside thousands of spectators who line the streets of Buea. It also holds deep cultural significance for the Bakweri people, for whom Mount Cameroon is considered sacred.

This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, with organisers hopeful that the late clearance of the track will not affect final preparations or athlete safety.

Authorities have yet to comment on whether new environmental guidelines will be introduced for future editions of the race.