Officials from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and the marathon organising committee have predicted that this year’s 30th anniversary of the Angkor International Half Marathon, to be held on December 7, could draw more than 15,000 participants. They also revealed that the event will feature new elements compared to previous years, in order to raise its profile.
Speaking at an October 3 press conference, NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun noted that the first Angkor half was held in 1996, and attracted just 200 to 300 runners. Thanks to cooperation from Japan’s Heart of Gold organization, the event has seen year-on-year success.
“2025 will be the 30th anniversary of the Angkor International Half Marathon. Over the past 30 years, we have worked hard to expand it — from just a few hundred runners to more than ten thousand. This is a source of pride,” he said.
Reflecting on last Decmber’s 29th edition, Chamroeun noted that there were about 14,370 participants, including more than 4,000 foreigners from 87 countries — an increase of over 30% compared to 2023.
“Last year, the participation of the government, especially Prime Minister Hun Manet — who joined and ran the 5 km — and his announcement that he plans to run 10 km this year, helped boost support significantly. Registrations have already reached nearly 10,000, so we need clear mechanisms for management and coordination,” he said.
Of the nearly 10,000 who are already registered, more than 2,000 are foreigners. Among them, runners from the UK make up the largest group, followed by those from France and the US. The presence of runners from these nations, he suggested, indicates strong confidence despite recent Cambodia–Thailand border tensions.
“They still trust the situation in our country. When participants from these three major countries come, others also follow. Their presence shows they are not worried about any instability,” he explained.
Sem Phalla, CEO of the marathon organising committee in Cambodia, estimated that the number of contestants for the 30th edition could climb to over 15,000. He urged those who have not yet registered to do so soon to ease planning and logistics.
“We could reach or exceed 15,000 participants. Preparing for an additional 5,000 runners is not easy, so we urge everyone to register early. That way, we can prepare shirts, bibs and medals — which we import from abroad — in time. If registration surges close to the event date, we won’t be able to manage, and that is our concern.”
“The committee is being very vigilant to ensure safety and compliance with international standards. Even with growing numbers, we must avoid confusion or negative incidents, because representatives from the World Marathon Association will also attend to observe and evaluate our organization,” he added.
The slogan of this year’s event is “Run for Longevity.” The theme carries four key meanings.
It is celebrating the longevity of the event, while also recognising the long-term well-being which participants enjoy, thanks to their active lifestyles. It also celebrates pride in the lasting heritage of Angkor, which is over 900 years old and continues to stand strong, offering a uniquely magnificent backdrop for runners from all over the world. Finally, it marks gratitude for everlasting peace, echoing the message “Sports Live in Peace” — because peace allows everyone to gather happily for such events.
Chamroeun added that this year’s edition will be better organised than previous ones, with improvements in quality through cooperation with main sponsor Manulife and other partners.
Their goal is to ensure safety, warmth and a unique experience for each participant.
He also hinted at surprises for this year’s event.
“This is our 30th anniversary, so we have many special elements. There will be a celebration ceremony, and we are planning something different during the run. We’ll keep it secret for now — there will be surprises on the day. We still have work to do to create a strong impact and draw attention to our event,” he said.
