Siem Reap & Sports: Outstanding participation in the 29th Angkor International Half Marathon

The 29th edition of the Angkor 2024 International Half Marathon, held in Siem Reap on Sunday morning, saw a significant increase in participation, with the highest number of runners since the race was created in 1996. This year, the number of participants reached a new record, with more than 14,000 runners from 87 countries.

Prime Minister Hun Manet attended the event in an honorary capacity and took part in the 5-kilometre race

According to Thong Khon, President of the Cambodian National Olympic Committee (CNOC), this year's race welcomed an impressive 14,370 participants, a 40% increase on the previous year. These included 11,025 Cambodian runners and 3,345 international participants, representing 87 countries. The event particularly attracted runners from the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan, the United States, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Prime Minister Hun Manet, who attended the event in an honorary capacity and took part in the 5-kilometre race, praised the efforts of the organising committee and all those who contributed to the smooth running of the event. In his remarks before the start of the 21-kilometre flagship race, Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed:

“Angkor is not only a symbol of our ancient history, but also a reflection of our country's modern achievements.”

He also emphasised the symbolic significance of the event as a testament to peace and political stability within the Kingdom, bringing together professional and amateur athletes from various national backgrounds. “The participation of so many athletes is a testament to Cambodia's peaceful and stable environment”, he added.

In terms of organisation, all the races - including the 21km half-marathon, the 10km race, the 5km and 3km family races - went off without a hitch. All the participants finished with smiles on their faces, and the best runners, particularly in the elite 21km and 10km categories, recorded impressive times.

As the Angkor Half Marathon continues to attract more and more participants, Cambodia's reputation as a prime destination for sports tourism and cultural heritage is set to grow. The 2024 race will undoubtedly be remembered as an important milestone in the event's illustrious history.