Reigning world mountain running men and women champions,Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand and Andrea Mayr of Austria have warned that they are coming to the fourth Obudu international mountain race to prove their mettle as the fastest mountain runners in the world so far this year irrespective of the total dominance of the race by Africans since 2006.

Both Wyatt and Mayr were fifth and fourth respectively in 2006 at the second edition of the race where Kenya's Francis Kibiwott and Ethiopia's Rehima Kedir won the men and women's titles while the position was reversed for the two countries last year with Ethiopia's Habtamu Fikadu Awash winning the men's title and Rita Jeptoo Sitieni of Kenya emerging the women's champion.Wyatt and Mayr however believe they are in the best of shape to turn the tables against their African adversaries.

Wyatt says he is not unaware of the terrain in Obudu which he says is quite different from the terrain they use in Europe and South America but does not think it will give the Africans any undue advantage.

"I am in shape for the Obudu and that is why I have accepted to come and run.I have had a good season running up the mountains this year and feels this is a good opportunity to come back after missing out last year",explained Wyatt who revealed he missed last year's race because of his hectic schedule.

He is also not unaware of the challenges he is going to face running in a different terrain to the one he is used to in Europe,South America and Oceania.

"Obudu race is always more of a challenge to me because of its terrain.It is more like a road race and I have been working on my speed to ensure I preserve my number status after the race",he said.

Mayr is also determined to leave Obudu as the winner of the women's title and the $50,000 accompanying cash prize.Like Wyatt she says the race in Obudu siuts the African runners because it is more of road running than mountain running.

"The mountain race in Europe is different from that of Obudu.In Europe it is steeper and will require more of endurance than speed to run up the mountain but I am not scared of anybody.I have prepared for this race and looks forward to arriving in Nigeria once again to challenge for the title and of course the money",she said.

A total of $227,000 is on offer at this year's race which retains its status as the highest paying mountain race in the world.

This year's race which will still hold at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu located in the highlands of Cross River State in South Eastern Nigeria, only 45 miles from the border with Cameroon will be flagged off by Cross River state Governor,Liyel Imoke. The Obudu Ranch possesses a temperate climate due to its high altitude. It has a cable car installed which brings guests from the base camp or 'bottom hill' to the summit of the ranch.

The ranch is about 35 minutes drive from Obudu town which is about five hours from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The Obudu ranch has a helipad and a small airport for access by air.

At the base of the hills on which the ranch is located lies a newly built world_class water park with state_of_art swimming facilities and water slides for children, teens and adults. The hilltop (cattle ranch) is about 11 km of winded road from the base and can be accessed by either the cable_car or the road.

The ranch has numerous pleasant mountain_area and country_side views. Tourist attractions include: the waterpark, cable_car, ranch cattle and horses, waterfall, Becheve nature reserve (canopy walk), honey and yoghurt factories and the ancient Anape village.