The 13th annual Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, to be held December 7, is on target to have the biggest field of runners ever, if early registrations are any indication.

To date, just over 600 runners have registered, exceeding registrations at the same time last year.

"This year we expect to get about 3,000 runners, maybe a few more, and so far the numbers are on track," said Muy Lath, project officer with the Angkor Wat Marathon executive committee.

Last year more than  2,150 runners participated in the event. Funds raised by the marathon will be used to buy artificial limbs for land mine survivors and to help young HIV/Aids victims.

Muy Lath said organisers are hoping to raise a minimum of US$13,000 this year.

Intended participants have until midday November 21 to register.

A highlight of the marathon will be the reappearance of Japanese marathon Olympian, Yuko Arimori, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund.