• Society

After Half Marathon Participation Success, 15,000 Runners Hoped for Next Year’s Edition

• By Mom Pitu
• December 5, 2023 2:05 PM

PHNOM PENH – While the Siem Reap International Half Marathon has just ended with over 10,000 participants, Senior Minister Thong Khon is setting a target of 15,000 runners for the 2024 edition.

A total of 10,156 runners were on the starting line of the 28th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon on Dec. 3 in Siem Reap province, including 3,654 foreigners from 78 countries.

Given it represents a 4,000 runners increase compared to the 27th edition of the race, National Olympic President Committee Thong Khon expects to reach the 15,000-registration cap in 2024.

“This year was already a huge record since there were only 400 runners in the event’s first edition in 1996,” he said.

Khon is hopeful that the new international airport in Siem Reap, which started operations on Oct. 16, will help bring more foreign competitors as direct flights to broader Asia, Australia, the US and Europe are expected to kick off in the coming months.

“International runners were from the United States, France, England and other countries in Europe, and from countries in Asia,” he said.

The race is split into four categories with tracks going around the Angkor archeological park: a 3-kilometer Fun Run, a 5 and a 10-kilometer race, and the 21-kilometer half marathon.

David Meloche, a Canadian, ranked place in the men’s half marathon, spending 1 hour, 18 minutes and 38 seconds while the British Lynd Sey Fraser, came first for women’s event with 1hour 24 minute and 55 second. 

The 2019 edition drew more than 12,000 participants from more than 80 countries. In 2020, the run was held virtually due to the pandemic.

The 42-kilometer marathon was also suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but made its return in early 2022 with 2,500 runners including 200 foreigners taking part.

 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess.