World mountain running champion, New Zealander Jonathan Wyatt, says he hopes to repeat his success at the Obudu International Mountain Race in Nigeria later this month.
The event has a $US50,000 ($NZ92,370) first prize, and a $US20,000 prize for runnner-up.
Wyatt previously competed in the 11.25km event in 2006, which was won by Kenya's Francis Kibiwott. Wyatt finished fifth.
Last year's winner was Ethiopia's Habtamu Awash.
Wyatt told a Nigerian newspaper, The Punch, that the terrain at Obudu is different from the terrain in Europe and South America and he did not think it will give the African runners any undue advantage.
The race climbs 810m to an altitude of 1600m above sea level at the Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort.
"I am in shape for the race and that is why I have accepted to come and run," he said. "I have had a good season running up the mountains this year and I feel this is a good opportunity to come back."
Wyatt won this year's seven-race World Mountain Running Association grand prix series by winning four of the races.
