• Society

All-Women RAID Amazones Competition to Be Held in Siem Reap Province

• By Mom Pitu
• and Ung Chamroeun
• March 14, 2024 1:00 PM

PHNOM PENH — Women from several countries taking part in the competition RAID Amazones have been gathering in Siem Reap city for the event set to start on March 15. 

Nearly 300 participants from several countries including France will compete in the multi-discipline race that will be held in the Angkor Archeological Park as well as several locations around Siem Reap city. 

From March 15 through 20, participants will face each other in competitions that will range from cycling, mountain bike riding and canoeing, to treasure hunting among pre-Angkorian and Angkorian temples. 

Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said that an understanding of Cambodia’s climate—such as how to manage in the dry season—as well as some knowledge of the country’s culture and history could help participants during the competition. Among other things, being familiar with the temples in Angkor Park could be an advantage during the treasure hunt that will be in the park, he said. 

Chamroeun added that he hopes that, after their visit to the country, the participants in the competition will speak of their time in Cambodia and help promote the country.  

Raid Amazones was launched in 2001 by Alexandre Debanne who is from France. This will be the fourth time that the event takes place in Cambodia as it was also held in the country in 2014, 2017 and 2018. 

More than sport

During a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda in November 2023, Debanne had stressed that the competition was an opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with today’s reality in Cambodia.

According to the program of the competition, through a vast range of activities, the six-day event enables participants grouped in teams of two or three members to strengthen their team spirit, solidarity, community sharing, and take part in activities that contribute to benefitting the environment, natural resources, as well as people of the region.

In addition to helping promote Cambodia’s culture and history, and the country as a destination in tourism, Raid Amazones also contributes to charitable activities such as the French association A Chacun Son Everest that brings support to children, teenagers and women battling cancer.

A multi-day competition with diverse events

The competition consists of 112 teams, of which 91 teams are made of 2 members and 31 teams 3 members. 

Day 1: 15 km trail running through Angkorian temples: from Ta Prohm to Prasat Bei (through Takeo, Ta Nei, Preah Khan, and Angkor Thom temples as well as Victory Gate, the Gate of Dead and Tonle Om Gate.

Day 2: 15 km canoeing at Kampong Khleang, an opportunity for the participants to observe the life of people in a floating village of Kampong Khleang commune in Sotr Nikum district. 

Day 3: 21.5 km cycling and running from National Road 6 to Wat Phnom Krom. Along the way, contestants will have the opportunity to see the countryside and rice fields.

Day 4: Treasure hunt among the temples and features of the Angkorian city of Angkor Thom including Angkor Wat, the Bayon temple, the Terrace of the Elephants, Tep Pranom temple, Preah Bali Lay temple, Baphuon temple, Preah Pithu temple, Khleang temple and Sour Prat temple. This will enable participants to grasp the magnitude of Angkor.

Day 5: 38 km mountain bike from Road 64 to Chao Srey Vibol Temple. This journey will bring the contestants closer to local life as they come across small villages, forest areas, as well as the area around the Chao Srey Vibol temple, which is about 25 kilometers from Siem Reap city.

Day 6: 10 km trail run from the Bayon temple to Prasat Bei in Angkor Park. Competitors will pass through the Victory Gate and the Gate of the Dead as well as the forest area of Angkor Park.