Cambodia’s National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) has assured international participants that they are welcome to join the 31st Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in Siem Reap on December 6, 2026, as organisers seek to attract 16,000 runners. Around 12,000 participants had registered at the time of the announcement, including approximately 2,000 international runners, with registration remaining open ahead of race day.
NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun said the organising committee was working with local authorities to provide a safe and pleasant experience for participants. The event is also expected to support Cambodia’s tourism promotion efforts and charitable programmes while bringing local and international runners together at one of the country’s most recognised heritage destinations.
Key Facts
Event: 31st Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
Race date: December 6, 2026
Location: Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Organiser: National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC)
Target participation: 16,000 runners
Registrations reported: Approximately 12,000
International participants registered: Approximately 2,000
Race categories: 21km, 10km, 5km and 3km
Charitable focus: Prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation, education programmes and medical care for underprivileged children
NOCC Addresses International Runners’ Safety Concerns
Speaking at a press conference at NOCC headquarters, Secretary General Vath Chamroeun acknowledged that concerns about safety in Cambodia, particularly those associated with online scam operations, had affected some visitors’ confidence.
He said the government had addressed the issue and that the organising committee was coordinating with local authorities to help ensure participants could enjoy a safe and pleasant stay.
Chamroeun encouraged international runners to visit Cambodia and experience the country firsthand. He also expressed hope that the event would help strengthen international confidence in Cambodia as a travel destination.
The assurance comes as organisers prepare to welcome participants from Cambodia and overseas to an annual sporting event that combines distance running with the opportunity to experience the Angkor archaeological landscape.
The announcement did not provide detailed security arrangements, emergency response procedures or specific measures for international visitors. Participants seeking practical travel guidance should consult official event communications and relevant travel advisories.
Organisers Aim to Welcome 16,000 Participants
The NOCC hopes to attract 16,000 runners to this year’s event. Approximately 12,000 had registered at the time of the press conference, leaving organisers seeking a further 4,000 participants to meet their target.
Around 2,000 of those registered were international runners, highlighting the event’s role in attracting overseas visitors as well as domestic participants.
Registration remained open at the time of the announcement. The final number of participants will depend on registrations completed before the race.
For Siem Reap, an event of this scale can bring together sports participants, accompanying family members and other visitors. However, the source report did not provide estimates of visitor spending, hotel bookings or the event’s projected economic contribution.
According to the announcement, all four routes start and finish in front of Angkor Wat. The setting gives participants the opportunity to take part in a sporting event beside one of Cambodia’s most important cultural landmarks.
The source report did not provide the detailed route maps, start times, registration fees or category-specific eligibility requirements.
Sport and Tourism Come Together at Angkor Wat
The half-marathon is positioned as both a sporting event and an opportunity to promote Cambodia internationally.
By bringing international runners to Siem Reap, the event allows visitors to experience the destination beyond its reputation as a heritage tourism centre. Participants can combine the race with visits to local attractions and experiences of Cambodian culture and hospitality, subject to their individual travel plans.
Chamroeun said he hoped the event would help rebuild international confidence in Cambodia as a safe destination and allow visitors to see the country for themselves.
The race’s international participation target also gives organisers an opportunity to showcase Cambodia’s ability to host a large sporting gathering at a globally recognised landmark.
Nevertheless, the number of international registrations alone does not establish the event’s overall tourism impact. Data on visitor length of stay, accommodation spending and travel expenditure would be needed to quantify its economic contribution.
Race Registration Supports Charitable Programmes
Beyond its sporting and tourism objectives, the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon has a charitable mission.
According to the report, registration fees support initiatives providing:
Prosthetic limbs.
Rehabilitation services.
Educational programmes.
Medical care for underprivileged children.
This charitable component connects participation in the race with wider social support initiatives. It also provides an additional purpose for runners beyond completing their chosen distance.
The source did not specify the amount of registration revenue allocated to charity, the organisations receiving funds or the number of beneficiaries expected to receive support in 2026.
Further information on fundraising totals and programme outcomes would help quantify the event’s social impact.
What International Participants Should Know
Runners planning to attend should confirm the latest event information before travelling.
Key details to check include:
Registration: Confirm availability, fees and the registration deadline through official event channels.
Race category: Check the distance selected and any participation requirements.
Race-day arrangements: Obtain the official start time, route map and instructions for collecting race materials.
Travel and accommodation: Arrange transport and accommodation in Siem Reap in advance.
Safety information: Review current official travel advice and follow instructions issued by event organisers and local authorities.
The announcement confirms the December 6 race date but does not provide all operational details. Participants should rely on official event updates for information that may change before race day.
Angkor Times Analysis
The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon brings together three objectives: international sports participation, destination promotion and charitable fundraising.
Its target of 16,000 runners, including growing participation from overseas visitors, reflects the organisers’ ambition to use a major sporting event to strengthen Cambodia’s international profile. The combination of running and a recognised heritage setting offers a distinctive experience for participants.
However, international confidence is influenced by more than a single event. Clear visitor information, effective coordination among organisers and authorities, and transparent communication about safety arrangements can all contribute to travellers’ confidence when making plans.
The event’s wider value will also depend on whether increased participation translates into benefits for local businesses and charitable programmes. Hotels, restaurants, transport providers and tourism operators may benefit from visitor activity, but the scale of that impact cannot be established without economic data.
For the NOCC, reaching the 16,000-runner target would mark progress towards its participation goal. Publishing final registration figures, international participation data and verified charitable outcomes after the race would provide a clearer picture of the event’s sporting, tourism and social contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the 31st Angkor Wat International Half Marathon take place?
The race is scheduled for December 6, 2026, according to the NOCC announcement reported by Khmer Times.
2. Where will the race start and finish?
All four race categories are reported to start and finish in front of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
3. How many runners are organisers targeting?
The NOCC hopes to welcome 16,000 participants. Approximately 12,000 had registered at the time of the announcement.
4. How many international runners had registered?
Approximately 2,000 international participants had registered at the time of the press conference.
5. What race distances are available?
The event features four categories: 21km, 10km, 5km and 3km.
6. What has the NOCC said about participants’ safety?
NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun said the organising committee was working with local authorities to help ensure a safe and pleasant stay for participants. The announcement did not detail specific security procedures.
7. How do registration fees support charity?
The reported charitable initiatives include providing prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation services, educational programmes and medical care for underprivileged children. The source did not disclose the amount raised or the number of beneficiaries.
8. Is registration still open?
Registration was reported to remain open at the time of the announcement. Runners should check official event channels for current availability and deadlines.
9. What is the event’s significance for Cambodian tourism?
The race brings international visitors to Siem Reap and gives organisers an opportunity to promote Cambodia’s culture, hospitality and heritage attractions. Its precise economic impact was not quantified in the report.