Nearly 900 participants attended the 8th Annual Bokor Cycling Tour and Half Marathon on October 29. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Nearly 900 participants, including international attendees, recently converged in Kampot province for the 8th Annual Bokor Cycling Tour and Half Marathon 2023, a charitable event aimed at supporting Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital.
Initiated in 2013 by Sok Kong, president of SOKIMEX – the parent company of Sokha Hotels & Resorts, which operates Thansur Sokha Hotel on Bokor Mountains – this year’s event drew 897 sports enthusiasts, with 735 runners and 162 cyclists taking part.
"This annual gathering is dedicated to raising funds for Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital. All proceeds from registration and the event go directly to these hospitals. With a notable increase in participation compared to last year, the event proceeded seamlessly in a joyful atmosphere," said Sokha sales manager Keo Sith.
The two-day spectacle unfolded on Bokor Mountains, featuring a 32km cycling race on the morning of October 28, followed by an array of mini-marathons with distances of 21km, 10km, 5km and a 3km fun run on the morning of October 29.
Participants in the event expressed their enthusiasm, knowing that their registration fees would contribute to assisting underprivileged children in Kantha Bopha charitable hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Attendees enjoyed the picturesque landscape and refreshing mountain air on Bokor, a renowned historical site in Cambodia. The event also featured concerts, culinary delights, beverages and a starry camping experience on October 29.
Neth Piseth, a representative from ACLEDA Bank, voiced his delight regarding the scenic route along the mountainside during his 21km run.
He said the bank, in conjunction with its partners, has collaborated on four separate occasions with the hotelier to orchestrate this annual event.
"This annual event is truly remarkable, and our bank and associates consistently participate. Nearly a hundred of our colleagues engaged in this charity fundraiser, aiming to inspire our community and acquaint them with the hidden gems of this region, particularly the wonders of Bokor Mountains, celebrated for its natural beauty," he said.
