A Cambodian athlete competes during the cycling section of the 2012 Phnom Penh International Duathlon on July 15, 2012. Photograph: Sreng Meng Srun/Phnom Penh Post
The Cambodia Triathlon Federation have promised a larger prize fund for their upcoming 2012 Angkor Wat International Duathlon in Siem Reap on Sunday, October 28, than their previous event, as well as opening registration points for eager participants.
The Phnom Penh International Duathlon on July 15 saw men’s and women’s race winners receive US$100 and a brand new Giant bike each. According to the CTF, the prizes are guaranteed to be significantly increased for the competition at the end of this month and will be detailed along with a list of confirmed sponsors at a press conference on October 20.
Athletes based in Phnom Penh can sign up at either the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia headquarters on Street 276 or the Giant bicycle shop on Czechoslovakia Boulevard (Street 169). Those in Siem Reap wanting to compete can go to either the local Giant bike franchise or apply at the Tourist Information Center near the old bus station.
Registrations can also be made through the Federation’s official website, by email tocambodiatriathlon@gmail.com or by phone to 0979603888.
Entry is priced at $20 for foreigners and 20,000 riels (US$4.96) for Cambodians. Junior athletes can compete for free as well as students on presentation of their identification cards. Rental of quality racing bikes can be arranged for a fee of $20.
Participants will need to congregate in front of Angkor Wat at around 6am, with dignitaries due to arrive at 6:30am. Speeches slated for 6:45am will officially open the event with a starting gun no later than 7am.
The competition has been given the royal seal of approval to celebrate King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s 90th birthday, which officially lands three days later on Wednesday, October 31. The Monday in between is the eighth anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation.
The CTF also intends to use the day to help spread a message of clean living and conservation in Cambodia, echoing the sentiments made by Prime Minister Hun Sen at last month’s the 30th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Phnom Penh.
“From now on, when we do sport we should think green and act green,” CTF President Kong Rithy Chup told the Post. “We have to work step by step to educate the public by combining sport with awareness of the environment.”
The Duathlon – a race which combines a cycling leg sandwiched between two sections of running – promotes an active lifestyle and greener mobility, according to Khong Sam Nuon, secretary of state at the Ministry of Environment.
The Ministry is one of five including the Ministries of Education, Youth and Sport, Health, Information and Tourism, which are supporting the event through logistics and human resources.
“We also want to highlight sustainable development in Cambodia,” added Khong Sam Nuon.
Organisers plan to ask participants and spectators to assist in cleaning up the area around the Angkor Wat temple after the races.
With sponsors and government ministries committed to helping the multi-discipline sport grow in the Kingdom, the federation has confirmed a date for their next events as well as releasing their full list for next year, a welcome boost for elite athletes hoping to mark out their training schedules around home races.
The federation had previously planned to hold its inaugural triathlon in Sihanoukville on December 16.
After several requests from the NOCC to join their three-day SEA Festival, the event will now be held in the coastal resort town of Kep on Monday, December 31. An open water swimming race will be held the day before.
The 2013 race schedule now has the Phnom Penh International Duathlon on February 24, the CTF Aquathlon on April 7, the CCC Aquathlon on June 2, the Angkor Wat International Duathlon on October 27 and the Sihanoukville International Triathlon on December 15.
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