The founder of the Yaoundé Cultural Marathon, Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy, has praised his organising team after successfully delivering the maiden edition of the event just two months after planning began.
The marathon, held on July 18, 2026, started and finished at the National Museum in Yaoundé, bringing together elite runners, recreational participants, children and persons with disabilities in a celebration of sport, culture and inclusion.
Fondzenyuy, popularly known as the Toghu Marathoner, is a Guinness World Record holder for completing the fastest marathon while wearing Toghu and an Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star finisher. Having completed 20 marathons across seven continents, he said organising the event in his home country marked one of the most meaningful moments of his running journey.
Speaking with OtownGist Media, Fondzenyuy revealed that the marathon was organised within just two months. Despite the tight timeline and the challenges of staging a new international-standard event, he credited the dedication of the organising committee, volunteers and officials of the Cameroon Athletics Federation for making the marathon a success.
“When I look at the amount of work the team has put in and what we have been able to achieve within that period, it makes me realise that the next edition will be wonderful,” he said.
The inaugural event featured a variety of race categories, including the 10K Cultural Race, 5K Cultural Run, Children’s 2K Fun Run and an Inclusive Walk designed for blind and visually impaired participants, wheelchair users, people using crutches and other persons with disabilities. The competition attracted runners from Cameroon and other countries, reinforcing its ambition to become an international sporting event.
In the elite races, Tchoupteng T. Franck claimed victory in the men’s 10K, while Kenya’s Jepkoech Marion won the women’s title. Zakariyahu Ibrahim and Otomo Mendouga emerged champions in the men’s and women’s 5K races respectively, while Tchoula Tesso Duval and Alangha Ashely Mbong won the boys’ and girls’ Children’s 2K events.
Reflecting on crossing the finish line in traditional Toghu attire, Fondzenyuy described the moment as deeply emotional. He said that after representing Cameroon in marathons across the world while wearing Toghu, bringing the experience home was a dream fulfilled.
“I can’t believe that I’m standing here in my own country and I’m running in the Toghu, where the Toghu came from. I have run around the world representing our country in this attire, and I’m bringing this back home. To me, it’s an amazing feat,” he said, adding that the turnout exceeded the organisers’ expectations.
Looking ahead, Fondzenyuy said he wants the Yaoundé Cultural Marathon to evolve into an annual homecoming festival for Cameroonians in the diaspora. Beyond the races, he envisions visitors experiencing Cameroon through its food, music, dance, languages, storytelling and cultural heritage while exploring Yaoundé during the summer holidays.
He added that planning for the second edition will begin immediately, using lessons from this year’s event to deliver an even bigger experience. Stressing that the marathon is open to everyone, not just elite athletes, he invited runners and tourists from around the world to discover the beauty of Cameroon through sport and culture.
