When Sarah Liengu Etonge crossed the finish line at the 2026 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, the cheers were not just for a winner. They were for a living legend.
At either 59 or 62 — depending on which public record one follows — the woman famously known as the Queen of the Mountain has once again proven that greatness does not retire. On February 21, 2026, she claimed victory in the Women’s Veteran category, adding yet another chapter to one of Cameroon’s most inspiring sporting stories.
But Sarah Etonge is more than a champion athlete. She is a mother of seven children and a grandmother to 27 grandchildren. And her story is one of endurance — both on and off the mountain.
A Record That Shaped the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope
For decades, the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has tested the limits of human strength. The grueling ascent and descent of one of West Africa’s highest peaks demands stamina, discipline, and courage.
Sarah Etonge mastered it.
She holds a record seven victories in the women’s elite category — a feat that cemented her status as Cameroon’s most celebrated mountain runner. Between 1996 and 1999, she won four consecutive titles, dominating the race and turning her name into legend.
Those victories did more than fill trophy shelves. They reshaped the race itself. Her consistency and strength raised the bar for women’s participation in mountain athletics in Cameroon and inspired a generation of female runners.
Even after her years at the top of elite competition, she never truly left the mountain. Instead, she evolved — competing in veteran categories and continuing to show that excellence has no expiry date.
Winning Again in 2026: A Testament to Longevity
The 2026 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope was expected to celebrate young rising stars. Instead, it also celebrated enduring greatness.
By winning the Women’s Veteran category this year, Sarah Etonge reminded the nation that resilience deepens with time. While younger athletes test their limits, she continues to compete with discipline and heart.
In a sport where many retire decades earlier, her continued victories speak not just to physical preparation, but to mental strength and passion.
She is not simply participating. She is still winning.
The Age Question — and Why It Doesn’t Define Her
As her latest victory made headlines, conversations once again emerged about her age.
Many published biographies list her birth year as 1967, which would make her 59 in 2026. However, some community accounts suggest she may have been born earlier, around 1964, placing her at 62.
Like many athletes of her generation, official records from earlier years were not always consistently documented. Small discrepancies remain.
But what stands out is this: whether she is 59 or 62, she is still climbing Mount Cameroon and finishing first in her category.
And that, more than any number, defines her legacy.
Beyond the Race: A Mother, A Grandmother, A Symbol
Away from competition, Sarah Etonge’s life reflects quiet strength.
She raised seven children. Today, she celebrates 27 grandchildren. For many Cameroonians, she represents more than athletic success — she represents sacrifice, motherhood, and perseverance.
In Buea, where a statue was erected in her honour years ago, she is not just remembered — she is present. She walks among the people whose pride she carries.
Her journey shows that a woman can nurture a family and still conquer mountains. That age does not silence ambition. That discipline can outlive youth.
Sarah Etonge’s Enduring Legacy in Cameroonian Sport
In a country where sports infrastructure often struggles and athletes fight for recognition, Sarah Etonge stands as proof of what determination can achieve.
Her seven elite victories remain unmatched. Her four-year winning streak from 1996 to 1999 remains historic. And her continued success in veteran competition shows that the spirit of competition lives on.
Young athletes see her and understand that champions are built over time. Women see her and understand that strength and motherhood can coexist. Cameroon sees her and recognizes a national treasure.
Queen of the Mountain — Forever
Mount Cameroon does not bow easily. It challenges, it punishes, and it humbles.
Yet year after year, Sarah Liengu Etonge rises to meet it.
Whether she is 59 or 62, whether she is competing in elite or veteran categories, she remains what she has always been — the Queen of the Mountain.
And as long as her feet continue to touch that volcanic soil, her story will continue to inspire.