New course for Sihanoukville half marathon
The route for the seventh Angkor Beer Sihanoukville International Half Marathon on March 11 has been modified, with new parts of the city included for the first time.
The experience will include exotic coastline views to give the 2,000 or so expected runners for the showpiece 21km charity run and other added attractions a unique experience in the Kingdom’s most popular tourist destination after Angkor Wat.
One of the city’s most visited beaches, Ochheuteal, will once again be the starting and finishing point near the recently installed Beautiful Bay statue.
The participants this time will go through the centre of the town on the arterial Ek Reach Street, while sticking to the scenic beauty of the coastline the rest of the way.
Japan heads the list of up to 200 overseas entries registered so far among 28 nationalities, with the United States and United Kingdom figuring second and third in terms of competitive interest.
Enthusiasm among locals, especially the youth, has grown in recent years, and this sector of the population is likely to boost the numbers in events such as the 10km for men and women, along with the 3km fun run for all ages and athletic abilities.
“This redrawn course will be lot more enjoyable for the runners as they can also catch glimpses of city life along with what the beautiful beachline always offers,’’ National Olympic Committee Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun told The Post yesterday.
As has been the practice, the 21km runners face a 5:30am start, with the other events set to roll in intervals of 15 minutes thereafter.
The Sihanoukville run marks the first of the long distance charity events in the national calendar that includes the Phnom Penh International Half Marathon in June, the Angkor Empire Full Marathon in August and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in early December.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, the NOCC and other government and private agencies and sponsors, the event will be managed by Cambodia Events Organizers and is sanctioned by the Association of International Marathons.