The new boss of the Helsinki International Marathon in Finland is a Cameroonian. Winner of the 2020 edition in 02h24mn40s, Eric Mbacha did it again this Saturday, August 21, 2021. The 37-year-old athlete even achieved a better time this year, running the 42 kilometers of the course in 02h24mn00s. Like last year, the marathon took place in a particular context marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eric Mbacha is a Cameroonian professional athlete used to difficult competitions. He has three victories in the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. This is a mixed race of 42 kilometers, with an ascent of Mount Cameroon (4100m high). The native of Nkambe, in the North-West of Cameroon, has been living in Finland for the past three years, where he has sought asylum. The athlete is said to be under threat from Anglophone separatists who are spreading terror in his home town.