The Angkor Wat archaeological park in Cambodia hosts two major running events annually: the Angkor Wat Half Marathon in December and the Angkor Empire Marathon in August. The half marathon, started in 1996, has grown to attract over 10,000 participants, including many international runners. It offers various race distances and supports landmine victims. The full marathon, introduced later, covers a 42.195 km course. Both events provide unique experiences of running through the UNESCO World Heritage site, passing ancient temples on mostly flat, paved roads. While the December event occurs in cooler weather, the August race showcases the lush "Angkor Green" scenery of the rainy season. These races combine athletic challenge with cultural immersion, though they don't typically attract elite runners due to modest prize purses compared to other international marathons.
