Sports: Over 9,000 runners take part in the Angkor Wat Indochina Marathon

On 22 December 2024, the “Angkor Wat Indochina Marathon Powered by Metfone”, the last race in the Viettel Marathon 2024 series, ended with a memorable event at the Angkor archaeological complex in Cambodia.

With over 9,000 participants from many countries, this was not just a sporting competition, but also a great celebration of culture and international relations

As part of Viettel's inaugural series of marathons covering three Indochinese countries - Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - the event attracted a total of over 25,000 runners across all stages. The first race in Luang Prabang (Laos) and the second in Hanoi (Vietnam) paved the way for success, but it was the final race in Angkor Wat that really stood out, offering runners an unrivalled experience on AAA-level courses amid the breathtaking scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The race at Angkor Wat showcased fierce competition between a number of elite athletes. In the men's full marathon, record-holder Nguyen Van Lai (Vietnam) won with an impressive time of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 54 seconds.

In the women's marathon, former national athlete Pham Thi Hong Le took first place with a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 14 seconds. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Oanh (Vietnam) dominated the women's 21km category, and Nguyen Trung Cuong (Vietnam) became the champion of the men's 21km race. In addition, Sat Nan Virak Yuth (Cambodia) won the men's 5 km race with a time of 18 minutes and 32 seconds, Terence Lai (Cambodia) came first in the men's 10 km race with a time of 32 minutes and 06 seconds, and Samnang Bo (Cambodia) came first in the women's 5 km race with a time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds.

The event also celebrated Metfone's key role as the main sponsor and organiser of the Cambodian leg of the marathon. Metfone is a key player in the development of telecommunications and technology in Cambodia, as well as a strong supporter of sporting and cultural initiatives. The Angkor Wat Indochina Powered by Metfone Marathon not only underlined Metfone's commitment to connecting communities, but also highlighted its desire to foster cultural exchange and strengthen relations between the three countries.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mr Cao Manh Duc, CEO of Metfone, said:

“We are proud that the Indochina Angkor Wat Marathon Powered by Metfone is not only a sporting event but also a bridge to strengthen ties between the three neighbouring countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is an opportunity to showcase the cultural and historical beauty of Indochina to international friends while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle within the community.”

The success of the Viettel Marathon 2024 has laid the foundations to become a series of world-class marathons, bringing an example of sharing sustainable cultural and sporting values to communities around the world.