Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Chinese dominate Angkor marathon entries

Chinese dominate Angkor marathon entries

Participants take part in last year’s Angkor Empire Marathon.
Participants take part in last year’s Angkor Empire Marathon. Yeun Ponlork

Chinese dominate Angkor marathon entries

The fourth Angkor Empire Marathon and other added attractions like the 21km, 10km and 3km fun run will race through the breathtaking surrounds of the World Heritage Site of the Angkor Wat temple complex on August 6, with runners from the world’s most populous nation China heading overseas entries from 51 countries.

Responding to Cambodia’s major push this year to encourage Chinese tourists, over 700 runners from the Asian powerhouse have so far registered out of the 1,500, far outnumbering other nationalities.

“We expect a record turn out this year. We are very happy that Chinese runners will once again be present like last year in such a big way as we continue to promote this event as sports tourism diversity for the [low] season, when tourists numbers normally drop,” the secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, Vath Chamroeun, told The Post yesterday.

“With the running course taking the participants back to the ancient wonders and monuments every yard of the way, this will be an unforgettable experience for every one taking part, not just in the marathon but in the supporting events as well,” Chamroeun said.

As in the previous editions, the proceeds from the event will go to charitable causes.

The marathon field will come under the starter’s orders well before the crack of dawn. The mass start is set for 4:30am in front of the main entrance to the temple complex.

The half marathon runners will be sent on their way at 6am, while the 10km participants take off at 6:15am, followed by the 3km fun run for people of all ages and abilities.

Since the marathon is to be run within two weeks before the start of the SEA Games in Malaysia, none of the national long distance runners will take part in the Siem Reap event.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.