A press conference to kick start activities will take place in Buea on January 19.

Preparations are underway towards the 18th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope scheduled to take place on February 16 in Buea. On the sporting side, qualifier races are taking place at the level of the different regions in order to retain athletes for the competition.

Last Sunday, the Mount Bedi race which serves as qualifier for the mountain race in the Littoral region took place, while the Mount Ebolowa race will take place next Saturday to shortlist athletes from the South region. There will be a test race in Buea on January 19th for athletes from the South West Region.

On the administrative side, the necessary paper works have been deposited at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education where there will be a launching press conference in Buea on January 19. The race will be taking place this year within a particular context marked by elections within federations scheduled for February.

However, the President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, Sebastien Mbous says it doesn't perturbed preparatory activities in any way as they are two distinct events. As such, Mbous says he has been multiplying meetings with his executive and canvassing for sponsors to give the event the pump it deserves.

If approved by hierarchy, the president of the athletics federation is envisaging an increase in the prize money to laureates from 3 to 5 million for the first, 3 million to the second and two million to the third. Like in the previous edition, there will be a cultural week marked by trade fairs and exhibitions as from the 8th of February. Registration for the race is currently going on line. Athletes in good mental and physical condition are required to attain a certain minimum record in the qualifying series in order to qualify for the race.