The laying of the foundation stone for the residence of the ‘Queen of the Mountain’ constituted the high mark of the event.

It was exactly 5.40 pm on Friday February 17, 2012 when the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Adoum Garoua launched activities marking the 17^th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. This year, the annual February sports jamboree at the Molyko-Buea Omnisports Stadium witnessed a number of innovations. Conspicuous among them was the early disbursement of funds to the national and local organizing committees since Sunday February 12, 2012; rather than on the eve of the race as has often been the case. Another remarkable aspect was the laying of the foundation stone for the building of a home for veteran mountaineer, Sarah Liengu Etonge. Though retired in 2009, the celebrated runner dubbed “Queen of the Mountain,” made a come-back this year, coming fourth in the female category. Her performance was greeted with lots of gifts and a standing ovation from the public.

During the Saturday February 18 race, officials were compelled to modify the race course due to heavy rains up the mountain. The athletes ended at Hut III instead of the mountain’s summit. It was thought that going any further would have had drastic consequences on the health of athletes. Meanwhile, the race categories registered two major changes. The first was the inclusion of 11visually-impaired male and female runners from the Bulu Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Blind, Buea. Each led by a guide, they ran from the stadium to Hut I and back. The other innovation was the introduction of the female relay category, previously reserved for male runners.

After a few years of oblivion, the use of a military helicopter for general supervision of the race was re-instated. This thrilled the mammoth crowd that turned out for the event at the Molyko Stadium. Prior to the race proper, a series of socio-cultural, economic and sports activities were on display. One of such was the election of 21-year-old Afor Tenye Tumban as Miss Race of Hope 2012. It was equally an opportunity for sponsor or partner companies to brandish both old and new products to the ever-demanding public. Given its international reputation, the race offered a platform for all and sundry to meet and share a common passion.