Angkor Empire Marathon Draws Over 6,500 Participants, Boosting Tourism and Economy

The 11th Angkor Empire Marathon was held on August 2, 2026, in front of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province. This year's event saw a record participation of 6,500 runners, both national and international, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), warmly welcomed the national and international athletes to the 11th marathon event in the World Heritage site of Angkor. Dr. Thong Khon stated that the organizing committee received a total of 6,500 participants this year, a 25% increase from 2025. Among them, 5,450 were Cambodian athletes and 1,050 were international athletes from 51 countries. The participating countries with the largest numbers of runners included China, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The event featured four race categories: 42 kilometers, 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers, and 3 kilometers. This year's growth in marathon participation was achieved through cooperation between the NOCC, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and the Tali Marathon, with support from the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia. Attendees included H.E. Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, and Mr. Prak Sophoan, Governor of Siem Reap province. The significant increase in participants demonstrates the strong confidence of national and international athletes in Cambodia's stability and peace. This ensures a welcoming environment for foreign guests from all directions, particularly in organizing sports events to promote and attract tourists, thereby contributing to the national economic development.