Angkor Wat Hosts Thousands for Marathon and Cycling

Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap city saw an influx of more than 9,150 runners drawn from 85 nations for yesterday’s 21st Annual Angkor International Half Marathon. China’s Qi Bian crossed the line quickest in a speedy one hour, 13 minutes and 16 seconds and was followed over three minutes later by Cambodian long distance legend Ma Viro. Edward Gumbley of the United Kingdom completed the podium a minute behind Viro.
 

Briton Danielle Hodgkinson triumphed in the women’s event with a time of one hour, 23 minutes and 24 seconds. Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), Vath Chamroeun, noted that the number of participants had grown for yet another year.
 

“This year, the participants for the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon grew to more than 9,100 runners. Last year, we had around 8,000 people running. Foreigners also increased to more than 5,000 drawn from 78 countries.” Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and chairman of the NOCC, added that the weekend is one of the biggest annual tourist events in town and earned the Kingdom $4 million in sports-related tourism.

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