The 29th International Half Marathon 2024 was held in Angkor on December 1. NOCC
The first-ever Indochina International Marathon is set to take place in Cambodia on December 22 at the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province.
Part of the Viettel Marathon 2024 international series, the Cambodian leg will be organised by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC). Their partnership with Vietnam and Laos marks a significant step in fostering regional sports collaboration.
According to Vath Chamroeun, NOCC secretary-general, the marathon is a joint effort between Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, and was approved by the Cambodian government. The event aims to promote tourism, boost the regional economy, and support the development of skilled athletes in preparation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Chamroeun emphasised that while the event is a new one, its technical and organisational aspects will follow established standards. The main goal is to provide athletes, particularly Cambodia's national team, with the opportunity to test their skills in long-distance running, which requires at least three months of preparation for competitive events.
A December 10 press conference on the Indochina International Marathon, which will be held at Angkor Wat on December 22. NOCC
Bui Thu Huong, a technical official from Vietnam’s organising committee, explained that the Indochina International Marathon has previously been held in Vietnam and Laos. The event will feature various race distances, including 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km. This year’s event in Cambodia hopes to attract from 8,000 to 9,000 participants from around the world.
However, despite these ambitions, some challenges remain. Sem Phalla, the technical director for NOCC marathon event, clarified that the high participation target may not be feasible given the limited time for event preparation. Cambodia hosted the 29th International Half Marathon at Angkor on December 1, with 14,370 runners from 87 countries.
Phalla acknowledged the complexity of organising such a large event with short notice but expressed optimism about the turnout. With over 1,000 runners already registered, he hopes the marathon will successfully attract around 3,000 participants.
He added that while the event's collaboration with Vietnam and Laos is special, the primary goal is to showcase Cambodia’s hospitality and athletic potential.
