5th Angkor Ultra Trail 2020: PHNOM PENH- More than 1,200 participants from 44 countries are expected to participate in one of the biggest endurance events in Cambodia
L-R: CGF Sec-Gen Nay Phonna, NOCC Sec-Gen Vath Chamroeun, Phoenix Voyages Country Manager Laurence De Laminne and Ultra-Trail Coordinator Ludovic Le Dizes during the media briefing yesterday. KT/Yeun Punleau
.
More than 1,200 participants from 44 countries are expected to participate in one of the biggest endurance events in Cambodia that will be held in Siem Reap province next weekend.
The event, known as the 5th Angkor Ultra Trail 2020, will be held from Jan 18 to 19.
.
ADS by Cloud 9:
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
.
At a news conference at the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) headquarters yesterday, Vath Chamroeun, NOCC secretary-general, said that the participation’s for this year’s ultra trail race is 10 percent higher than that of last year.
.
ADS by Cloud 9:
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
.
The media conference was also attended by Nay Phonna, secretary-general of the Cambodia Gymnastics Federation, Laurence De Laminne, country manager of Phoenix Voyages and Ludovic Le Dizes, project coordinator of Ultra-Trail Angkor.
Last year’s edition of the race drew more than 1,200 participants from 42 countries.
The countries that are expected to have a representation in the race include United States, Cambodia, France, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Ireland, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain, China, Colombia, South Africa, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Belgium, Turkey, Indonesia, Brunei, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Italy and Russia.
“We are expecting most of the participants to come from Cambodia, France, United Kingdom and South Korea, “Chamroeun said.
The NOCC secretary-general said the event serve many purposes. “This is for charity and also a part of the effort to protect and preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Sites nearby,” he noted.
ADS by Cloud 9:
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
.
The event, according to him, is also meant to bring in more visitors and promote Cambodia and its tourism industry to the outside world.
“Many of the visitors that are coming for the race are also expected to bring members of their own families with them,” he pointed out.
The fact that participants can run through one of the world’s most famous tourism and religious sites has made the race popular to many outside participants.
“This is the most memorable trail race I have ever done. The friendliness of the local villagers who stay up all night in the jungle to cheer, to the spectacular and mesmerising and ‘eeriness in the evening’ which are all about us,” past participant Ross Cain said in a testimonial published on the event website.
“It is a sheer pleasure to be in this beautiful historic park,” he added.
ADS by Cloud 9:
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
.
The race is divided into several categories: 16km (Temple Run), 16km (Nordic Walking), 32km (Jungle Trail), 42km (Marathon Trail), 64km (Bayon Trail) and 128km (Angkor Ultra Trail). Participants can also join the Walk and Hike Without Timing and Humanitarian Walk.
The route for the race will pass through the famous Angkor Wat temples, rice fields, golf courses, villages, mountains and other scenic spots.
The first Angkor Ultra Trail was held in 2016 by Jean Claude Le Cornec and his team at Sports Development and Performance Organisation (SDPO). Since then, the event has been held every year with an increasing number of participants from many countries joining in.
The race is one of the very few sports events allowed to go through the Angkor Wat temples. The other notable sports event that goes through the same area is the annual Angkor Wat International Half Marathon.
The event is being organised by SPDO and Phoenix Voyages, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, NOCC and several corporate sponsors.
Marc Puig Amiel of Spain topped the 128km category (main event) last year. / Jose Rodriguez T. Senase / Khmer Times
ADS by Cloud 9:
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
