The South West Regional capital city of Buea is steaming up for the 21^st race.

Banners running across the major streets, posters on popular places in town and many athletes practicing along the race track are some of the indicators that the landmark event of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is in the making. Runners will kick-off Saturday at 6 am to brave the 38-kilometre race in the three categories.

For the third year now, the race will be dubbed Guinness Mount Cameroon Race of Hope crediting the sponsor. But officials are quick to announce that the sponsorship contract between the Athletics Federation and Guinness is rounding up this year except a new one is engaged.

According to Mr. Eteki Njoh, South West Regional League President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, 500 athletes are awaited to sweat it out up and down the mountain from the eight Countries that have indicated their intention to participate in this year’s race. Such would include the USA, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Kenya, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Cameroon.

As a novelty, a melodious and rhythmic anthem has been framed for this year’s race. Medical tests will be conducted at the South West Regional Delegation of Public health today. As a preparatory measure, 30 hostesses have been engaged, 150 local officials investing in the planning and 450 porters mobilized to carry water and start climbing the mountain from Friday morning.

Although without revealing any detail, the security has been put on high alert as men in uniform shall man the entire race course. The South West Governor urged, during a recent preparatory meeting, that all local committees concerned with the race will produce reports of activities before, during and after the event.

The public’s worry is now centred on the sufficiency of water, the availability of tee-shirts in good time. To this worries the press committee met last Friday under the chair of the South West Regional Delegate of Communication, Madam Muma Rosette. The first prize remains at CFA 10 million, five for the second and two for the third in for both categories of male and female of the main race. Alongside, minor racers will earn CFA Three million for the first place, CFA 1.250.000 for the second and CFA 500.000 for the third.

The third class of racers named veterans will gain CFA One million, CFA 500.000 and 250.000 respectively. The race remains a crowd pulling event with some 20.000 people expected from the nooks and crannies of Cameroon and beyond.