Angkor Wat Half Marathon: How to Run One of Asia Best Races
The Angkor Wat Half Marathon passes UNESCO heritage temples at sunrise. Learn registration, course details, training tips, and what to expect on race day.
The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon is held annually in December in Siem Reap, Cambodia. First run in 1996 as a peace and landmine awareness event, it now attracts over 10,000 runners from more than 60 countries. The 21.1 km course winds past Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm temples at sunrise.
Race Distances and Categories
The event offers four distance categories. The half marathon (21.1 km) is the flagship. A 10 km fun run is available for less experienced runners. A 3 km wheelchair race was introduced in 2001 and draws 200 to 400 participants annually. A children 3 km run was added in 2018 for ages 6 to 14.
- 21.1 km half marathon — flagship distance, most international entrants
- 10 km road race — popular with first-time participants
- 3 km wheelchair race — one of Southeast Asia longest-running adaptive races
- 3 km children run — ages 6 to 14, introduced 2018
Course Route and Key Landmarks
The half marathon starts at the main Angkor Wat causeway before dawn. Runners pass the south gate of Angkor Thom at kilometer 4, reach Bayon temple at kilometer 7, and loop past Ta Prohm around kilometer 12. The finish line returns to the Angkor Wat reflecting pool. Total elevation change is approximately 45 meters.
The course is run on a mix of paved road and compressed gravel paths. December temperatures in Siem Reap average 24 to 30 degrees Celsius at race time. Humidity is typically lower than the wet season, making December the optimal race month from a climate standpoint.
Registration and Entry Fees
Registration opens in July each year via the official Angkor Wat International Half Marathon website. Entry fees for the 2024 edition ranged from USD 28 for the 10 km to USD 45 for the half marathon for international runners. Cambodian citizen entries were subsidised at USD 5. The race sells out within 6 to 8 weeks of registration opening.
All race entry fees contribute to the Cambodia Trust charity, which funds prosthetics and rehabilitation for landmine survivors. Over USD 2.4 million has been raised since the event began in 1996.
Training Recommendations for the Course
Because the race starts at 5:30 AM, training runs in low-light conditions are recommended. The gravel sections between Bayon and Ta Prohm require trail shoes or road shoes with moderate grip. Runners targeting a sub-2-hour finish should log at least 10 weeks of training with weekly mileage reaching 40 km.
- Train with early morning runs to adapt to 5:30 AM start time
- Include one weekly long run on mixed terrain to prepare for gravel sections
- Acclimatize to heat — plan arrival 3 to 5 days before race day
- Carry electrolyte tablets — aid stations provide water every 2.5 km but limited electrolytes
Logistics and What to Arrange Before You Arrive
Race bibs are collected the day before at Angkor Enterprise near the Angkor ticket gate. Hotels within 5 km of the start line fill quickly after registration closes, so booking accommodation at least 3 months ahead is strongly advised. Tuk-tuk transport to the start is available from all major Siem Reap hotels from 4:30 AM on race day.