Angkor Thom sees half marathon route on 6 December

Angkor Thom and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon are linked by the race route on 6 December 2026 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The start and finish are in front of Angkor Wat, while the organiser lists timing checkpoints near Angkor Thom.

The half marathon reaches Angkor Thom on 6 December

The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 6 December 2026. Cambodia Events lists four race distances, including a 21 km half marathon, a 10 km race, a 5 km race and a 3 km race.

The event is organised by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, the Association of Athletics Federation of Cambodia and Cambodian Events Organizer. The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon Organizing Committee manages the race, which is sanctioned by the Association of International Marathon and Road Races. Its 2026 event details name Angkor Wat as the start and finish venue and place checkpoints near Angkor Thom.

The organiser describes the race as a charity event supporting landmine survivors and other charitable activities in Cambodia. The route uses roads inside the Angkor area rather than temple interiors, so the event concerns movement through the wider heritage landscape as well as the start venue.

Angkor Thom sits inside a protected World Heritage landscape

Angkor Thom is a royal city within the Angkor Archaeological Park. Its Bayon Temple is identified by UNESCO as part of the Angkor property, alongside Angkor Wat, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm.

UNESCO describes Angkor as an archaeological site in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap. The property extends across approximately 400 square kilometres and contains remains of Khmer Empire capitals dating from the ninth to the fifteenth century.

The race date therefore places a modern road event within a landscape whose value lies in its connected temples, hydraulic structures, ancient urban plans and communication routes. For travellers, the link is practical: the race is not confined to Angkor Wat, because the organiser’s information also identifies Angkor Thom as part of the checkpoint area.

What the race means for access around Angkor Thom

Visitors should expect the event to use roads across the archaeological park on 6 December 2026. The published information identifies Angkor Wat as the start and finish, but does not announce a separate closure notice for individual monuments at Angkor Thom.

The organiser says the course is flat and passes ancient trees and about 14 temples. Those details describe the race setting, not a promise that every temple interior will be open to runners or sightseeing visitors during the event.

Visiting Angkor Thom: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon takes place on 6 December 2026, starting and finishing in front of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
• The published route information places timing checkpoints near Angkor Thom, so road movement through the area is part of the event context.
• Angkor Thom forms part of the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, in northern Cambodia; the organiser identifies Angkor Wat as the race venue.
• The course is described as flat and follows roads through a heritage landscape with about 14 temples; the information does not state that temple interiors form part of the race route.
• Cambodia’s official language is Khmer and its national currency is the Cambodian riel.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Angkor Thom

When does the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon take place at Angkor Thom?

The race takes place on 6 December 2026, with its start and finish in front of Angkor Wat and checkpoints listed near Angkor Thom.

What is Angkor Thom?

Angkor Thom is a royal city within the Angkor Archaeological Park, whose Bayon Temple is part of the UNESCO-listed Angkor property.

Where is Angkor Thom and how do you get there?

Angkor Thom is in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The race organiser identifies Angkor Wat as the event start and finish, rather than Angkor Thom itself.