Running through the ancient Khmer capital

Looking ahead | 7 August 2022 The Khmer Empire Marathon, Cambodia Running in the ancient Empire capital Through rice fields and alongside temples

The Khmer Empire was the most powerful Empire in Southeast Asia from the 9th–13th centuries.

The Angkor, as the central area of settlement of the Khmer Kingdom, was the symbol of the ancient civilisation of Khmer people and the largest pre-industrial urban centre in the world.

The Khmer Empire Marathon offers an exceptional opportunity for all runners around the world to experience this course within a World Heritage site. There are 40 ancient temples along the smooth asphalt road which cuts through the national forest and rice fields of local villages in Siem Reap Province.

The 6th Khmer Empire Marathon was staged on 4 August 2019 with more than 3500 runners from 49 countries. For the two years since then the worldwide Covid19 pandemic has impacted badly on lives in Cambodia. The organisers will re-start with the 7th Khmer Empire Marathon in the ancient city of Angkor on 7 August 2022 with expectations of the same number of runners as in the 6th edition.

Participants will experience the ancient atmosphere and natural scenery as they pass along the road through forest, rice fields, traditional villages and ancient temples from the Angkor Era. There are several races to choose from: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km Fun Run and family and kids’ 3km. All race categories start and finish in front of the Angkor Wat temple and are run on the short and long circuits of the Angkor temples complex.

The Marathon starts at 04.30 when it is normally about 26C and heads towards the city centre before turning towards the ancient temples set in beautiful green forest. The Half Marathon starts at 05.30 with a small circuit of the Angkor complex during which runners pass through 13 ancient temples. The other races start 30 minutes later. Water stations are available every 2km.

All runners in the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km will pass by the vast area of Elephant Terrace. This is the 12th-century stadium with a 350m-long ornamental wall carved with elephants. This acted as a reviewing platform for King Jayavarman VII to look over his victorious returning army or watch ancient sporting competitions on the fields. Runners leave the Elephant Terrace and turn right along the road half-circling the Bayon temple - the most important temple built in the 13th Century by King Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism in Cambodia. After this they go straight ahead for 3km before they reach the finish in front of the Angkor Wat temple.

The race attracts few elite runners. The Cambodian Events Organising team, along with national and international organisations, would like to invite all professional and amateur runners from around the world come to participate this exceptional marathon. This is a way of showing ultimate friendship and kind support to disabled people and poor children in Cambodia.

We are waiting to offer you the warmest welcome and the best arrangements for facing up to the new situation of health care and protection from Covid19. Come to this beautiful race and feel safe within the bounds of the ancient Khmer Civilisation.

■ www.cambodia-events.org