Wow! What a strong finish to the first-ever Sangker River Run, and thank you to everyone who made it such an incredible success!
On Saturday 20 January 2024, Phare Ponleu Selpak hosted the inaugural Sangker River Run, welcoming 140 runners and cyclists from (at least) 14 different countries to Battambang Province.
The 30-kilometer run/cycle event kicked off our year-long 30th anniversary celebrations here at Phare Ponleu Selpak and served as a fundraiser for the school’s art and education programs with the stretch goal of raising $300,000 USD.
Thanks to generous platinum sponsorship by V-Active and Krud Energy, gold sponsorship by ABA Bank, and the contributions of other sponsors and local partners, 100% of the money raised by runners and cyclists went toward the 30th anniversary fundraiser.
“We would like to thank all donors, athletes, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the Sangker River Run,” said Osman KHAWAJA, Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak. “Your generous contributions of time, talent, and finances, have significantly enhanced the lives of young people here in Battambang Province by fostering their education as well as access to the life-changing power of the arts. The success of the inaugural Sangker River Run has once again established Battambang as a natural hub for arts, culture, and travel in Cambodia, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”
What Happened at the Sangker River Run
Before the race, runners and cyclists gathered on the Phare campus at…4:30 a.m.(!) to load up on buses to Banan. In the chilly air, everyone lined up in the dark – bicyclists first and runners second – and by 6:00 a.m., the race was on!
Photo credits: BOUN Bunsetharath (Jasmine)
The Sangker River Run began at the foot of Phnom Banan, a popular and sacred mountain on the outskirts of Battambang and the home to an 11th-century Hindu and Buddhist temple. From there, the route wound along the scenic Sangker River passing rice fields and villages, over suspension bridges, and through the heart of Battambang, a UNESCO Creative City, ending at the Phare Ponleu Selpak campus.
Runners and cyclists alike got to witness the beauty of a Cambodian sunrise through the idyllic landscape of Battambang Province. There were even a few weddings that took place along (or right in the middle of) the running route!
The Sangker River Run included athletes from 14 different countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Chile, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We’re so glad to have hosted runners and cyclists from every corner of the globe!
Photo credit: Reakfreedom
Photo credit: PHON Kaevkynaga
Photo credit: Reakfreedom
Photo credit: PHON Kaevkynaga
Photo credit: CHAN Rattanakoudom
At the finish line, the campus of Phare Ponleu Selpak was bustling with sponsors and food vendors. As cyclists and runners approached the finish line, residents, attendees, and judges cheered them on while Phare music students greeted them with drums. Complimentary massages, snacks, and beverages were provided to each finisher. The entire event ended at midday, and racers were invited to a free Phare Battambang Circus show that evening under the big top on the Phare Ponleu Selpak campus.
Click here to see all of the official race photos from the Sangker River Run!
Photo credits: CHAN Rattanakoudom
Who Won? Medal Stand Results for the Sangker River Run
The Sangker River Run included parallel routes for solo runners, cyclists, and teams of three relay runners covering 10 km each.The results of the race are as follows:
The winning 30-km solo runners with Phare co-founders and managers. Photo credit: CHAN Rattanakoudom
For the solo 30 km running race:
(rank – bib number – runner name – final time)
- 1st – S008 – Hiroshi Ake – 2:18:14.63
- 2nd – S010 – TANG Seksang – 2:18:17.57
- 3rd – S035 – HONG Vantheth – 2:36:00.0
- 4th – S027 – Sopheaktra KEO – 2:44:00.0
- 4th – S036 – Virathraksmey TANN – 2:44:00.0
- 4th – S013 – Monika TAING – 2:44:00.0
- 4th – S014 – Mouyteang CHHY – 2:44:00.0
- 8th – S018 – Ravy Hut – 2:45:19.0
- 9th – S019 – Ryan TOL – 2:52:00.0
- 10th – S039 – វិទ្យាប៉ាង – 3:09:00.0
The winning 30-km cyclists with OUCH Ophinissara, Director of the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism (white shirt), and Phare Co-Founders KHUON Det (right, green shirt). Photo credit: CHAN Rattanakoudom
For the 30 km cycling race:
(rank – bib number – runner name – final time)
- 1st – C224 – Oliver Boedicker – 0:57:00.0
- 2nd – C220 – Si Meas – 0:57:03.0
- 3rd – C226 – Pharoun Samphous – 1:02:00.0
- 4th – C202 – Boracheat Yaren – 1:15:00.0
- 5th – C212 – Kimhang Hout – 1:23:00.0
- 5th – C246 – Theary Ngoem – 1:23:00.0
- 5th – C228 – Ponleur Someurn – 1:23:00.0
- 8th – C203 – Chamrom Nhor – 1:23:30.0
- 9th – C229 – Ponlok Someurn – 1:24:00.0
- 10th – C245 – Tek Tou – 1:28:00.0
Team Kingdom Fight Gym, 2nd place winners of the relay run, posing with Phare Executive Diretor Osman Khawaja. Photo credit: PHON Kaevkynaga
For the relay 30-km (10 km * 3) running race:
(rank – team name – final time; bib number – runner name)
- 1st – SuperSonics 1 – 2:53:32.09
R101 – Lise MARION, R102 – Coralie MORILLON, R103 – Claire COLLIAUX
- 2nd – Kingdom Fight Gym – 2:58:00.0
R122 – Jaime GILL, R123 – Kwok Leung Tsang, R124 – Matias ANDREAS
- 3rd – The Braided Dragons – 3:05:00.0
R119 – Rishi SUBRAMANIAN, R120 – Soree KIM, R121 – Eliot WITHERSPOON
- 4th – SuperSonics 2 – 2:57:27.0*
R104 – Alix JACQUIN, R105 – Rémy LACAZE, R106 – Théo GROSJEAN
*This team got lost along the trail, thus the shorter time but lower rank.
- 5th – Team Kiri Kiri – 4:14:00.0
R108 – Ngoc Tri NGUYEN, R109 – Bunsetharath BOUN, R107 – Bryce MERKL SASAKI
- 6th – GVA Fundraising – 4:35:00.0
R110 – Dara CHEA, R111 – KIK Chem, R112 – Chen PHY
- 7th – The Three Musketeers – 4:37:00.0
R116 – Sophal ROEURN, R117 – Sareth KHLOTH, R118 – Osman KHAWAJA
- 8th – PCS Team 4 – 4:46:00.0
R137 – ធួកណាសុិន, R138 – Sokpheng Mang, R139 – សុខឃឿតយួន
- 9th – PCS Team 2 – 4:47:00.0
R131 – Vincent BUSO, R132 – Athisok YAN, R133 – Pagna CHAN
- 10th – PCS Team 1 – 5:04:00.0
R128 – Pisey Heng, R129 – Chen Chhat, R130 – Yanma YOUM
OUCH Ophinissara, Director of the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism, presided over the event and also awarded the medals to the winning cyclists. The three co-founders of Phare Ponleu Selpak – art teacher LON Lao, Director of the Phare Performing Arts School KHUON Det, and Director of the Phare Visual and Applied Arts School TOR Vutha – as well as Osman KHAWAJA, the Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak were also at the ceremony and awarded the medals to the winning solo and relay runners
What Participants Said about the Sangker River Run 2023
After fundraising online for several months before the Sangker River Run, it was great to finally meet everyone in person. Here’s what some of the runners and cyclists (both local and international) had to say about the event.
“The event was well-organized and had a lot of fun,” said Oliver Rene Bodicker of Germany, the winner of the 30-km cycling race. “The track challenged me with a mix of both smooth and rugged routes. The scenery was also amazing. I encourage others to visit the campus, support the circus, enjoy the arts and culture, and make some contribution. I’m hoping you will come here.”
Solo runner TANG Seksang was glad he joined the Sangker River Run.
“This is the first time I have attended this race in Battambang,” said Seksang, the second-place finisher of the 30-km solo run and a native of Phnom Penh. “I was so excited to join the Sanger River Run. Although the journey from Phnom Penh was a little taxing, I’m very pleased to have helped this charity run. It was a great experience because I got to see the Sangker River’s breathtaking beauty as I went over several suspension bridges and through many villages. I hope to see more people joining this kind of fundraising and running events in the future.”
And native Battambanger Sous Sinath also had a lot of fun as a relay run participant.
“I found out about the Sangker River Run from social media and the website,” said Sous Sinath. “I was having both fun but also exhausted. It feels beautiful to be able to support the community and Phare today. The Sangker River scenery was the best part of the whole experience. This is an important event as it helps to fundraise for Battambang’s youth and children while also aiding in the nation’s development. This impacts the entire community, not just Phare. I will definitely join again if the event returns next year!”
See You Next Year!
Given the success of the inaugural event, Phare Ponleu Selpak and Battambang Provincial Hall have decided to make it an annual event, rebranded as the Sangker River Marathon. The dates for the next run are still to be determined, but watch this space!
Photo credits: CHAN Rattanakoudom
We would also like to thank these other sponsors, partners, and supporters who made the Sangker River Run possible:
As of the end of the fundraising campaign, the Sangker River Run raised $38,657.07, or about 13% of the overall fundraising goal. Since it was only the very first year of the event, we know that’s not a terrible result – and thank you to everyone who contributed! – but can you help our 30th anniversary year get started off strong?
Help change lives through the arts: Make a contribution to Phare Ponleu Selpak and give children and youth in Battambang access to a strong education integrated with creativity and imagination.
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