Preparations for the successful hosting of 6th Obudu Mountain Race and the 2nd African Nations Mountain Running Championship have kicked into gear as the Local Organizing Committee meets regularly to ensure they host the best race yet.

 This year’s event will be bigger as it will also include an African Mountain Running Championship for the women.  The 1st for the men only, featured last year.

 According to the Local Organizing Committee Chairman, William Archibong “this year’s event will be bigger.  We are introducing the African Mountain Running Championship for the women to complement that of the men, which started last year.  We are already in constant touch with the President of the World Mountain Running Association WMRA, Bruno Gozzelini and officials of the AFN to ensure that the event is hitch-free”.

On a visit to the Mountain Resort over the weekend, the Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke took time out to inspect the facilities and                preparedness of the resort to host the race.  “The Governor was personally at the resort to see things for himself, where he was assured by African Sun, the managers of the resort, that both the Mountain and Utanga were ready for the race.  He also used the opportunity to            encourage early camping for the local athletes” Archibong noted.

The Obudu Mountain Race covers a distance of 11 kilometres uphill, to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level, taking you to one of the finest destinations in the world, the Obudu Mountain Resort.  The Race is the highest paying Mountain Race in the world, with star prize of $50,000 for both men and women.  The star prize for the African Nation’s Mountain Running Championship is $15,000 for both men and women teams.