Siem reap: The 10th Angkor Empire Marathon, one of Cambodia’s premier sports tourism events, is set to host over 4,500 local and international runners on Aug. 3, 2025, in front of the iconic Angkor Wat Temple.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, registration for this milestone edition has officially closed, as confirmed by Mr. Sem Phalla, General Manager of Cambodia Marathon Committee. “The number of registered runners has steadily increased, reaching 4,500 this year,” he stated in a recent interview. He explained that registration was halted due to exhausted supplies of essential event materials, such as medals and bib numbers, which require significant lead times for import.

Mr. Phalla highlighted that approximately 500 additional interested runners missed the registration deadline. He emphasized that participation without prior registration is strictly prohibited due to critical security, safety, and data management protocols. All participation data is meticulously reported to the Association of Inter
national Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), of which Cambodia is a full member, ensuring compliance with global standards.

Looking to the future, Mr. Phalla expressed optimism for continued growth, projecting 5,000 to 6,000 participants for the Angkor Empire Marathon 2026. He also noted ongoing collaborations with Chinese partners to facilitate increased participation from China in both the upcoming and future races.

This year’s marathon will commence with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring drum performances and traditional Khmer attire, celebrating Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. Beyond the competition, the event remains committed to its mission of raising funds for local hospitals and charitable organizations.

The marathon offers a range of categories to accommodate various fitness levels, including the 42-kilometre Full Marathon, 21-kilometre Half Marathon, 10-kilometre race, and a 3-kilometre fun run.