Join Us for the Sangker River Run!

 

The inaugural Sangker River Run: 30 km for 30 Years of Phare Ponleu Selpak is happening on 20 January 2024 in Battambang, Cambodia. This fundraising run and cycling event celebrates Phare’s 30th anniversary and aims to raise an ambitious target of $300,000 USD to launch the school in its next 30 years of changing lives through the arts.

Why Phare Ponleu Selpak is organizing the Sangker River Run
  • Track Phare’s progress toward our $300,000 finish line! 13% 13%

$38 657.07

$300,000

Ready for a challenge? Here’s how you can get involved in the Sangker River Run:

 

 

The Sangker River Run is the first long-distance run (and cycling event) in the history of Battambang Province. The route will cover 30 kilometers – one for each year of Phare’s history – and put the spotlight on Battambang’s stunning Sangker River.

Ready to Run or Cycle? Start Here

Looking for your next big running or cycling adventure?

Join your fellow athletes from around Asia and across the globe for this race along the picturesque Sangker River just outside of Battambang, Cambodia. The inaugural Sangker River Run is for dedicated solo runners, relay runners, and cyclists who want to challenge themselves along a brand new, scenic-but-intrepid route and who want to help fundraise for Phare Ponleu Selpak.

Quick Facts

      • Date: 20 January 2024
      • Time: 5:30 a.m.
      • Distance: 30 km (18.64 miles)
      • Location: Battambang, Cambodia

Who Can Join

      • Solo Runners: Entire 30 km
      • Solo Cyclists: Entire 30 km
      • Team of 3 Relay Runners: Run 10 km each

The Route

About the Sangker River Run/Cycle

The Sangker River Run begins at the foot of Phnom Banan, a mountain on the outskirts of Battambang home to an 11th-century Hindu and Buddhist temple. From Banan, you’ll wind along the Sangker River making your way past rice fields, over suspension bridges, and through downtown Battambang, a UNESCO Creative City. You’ll end the race on the campus of Phare Ponleu Selpak where you’ll receive snacks and refreshments from local vendors.

For cyclists, the route is suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes, following a similar path as the runners (but a bit smoother in a few places). Bicycle transport will be provided to the starting point.

Solo runners and cyclists should be capable of completing at least a half marathon (21 km or 13.1 miles). Relay runners will need to run 10 km each. If you like to run or cycle long distance and want to push yourself a bit further – or if you’re an experienced ultramarathoner looking for a light jog – this race is perfect for you.

Download the 2-page flyer to share with friends

Register to run

or cycle

Sign up to run or cycle for the Sangker River Run on 20 January 2024 (QR code)

Help spread the word by sharing this blog post with your friends and family! 

Cambodia-based donors can also use this QR code to give directly to Phare’s ABA account. Please mention “SRR and [athlete’s name]” in the notes box.

Organize a Sister Run/Cycle in Your City

Want to run or cycle for Phare but can’t travel to Cambodia this January? You can also set up a sister run or cycling event in your local area! 

Here’s how you can help make it happen:

    1. Find friends, family, colleagues, or other Phare supporters in your city or region. Contact us at [email protected] if you’d like us to spread the word to other Phare supporters in your area. 
    2. Register your team on SimplyGiving. Use that big red “Start Fundraising” to get started. 
    3. On 20 January (or another nearby date) complete your 30 km run or cycle route. Let us know how you did! Send a brief description plus pictures to [email protected]. We’ll make sure every sister run gets highlighted! 

Ready to get started? Use this guide for more information on how to set up a Sister Sangker River Run. 

Organize a Sister Sangker River Run in your local area

Plus, use this blog post and this 2-page flyer to help spread the word!

Volunteer for the Sangker River Run

Maybe running or cycling isn’t your thing but you still want to support Phare Ponleu Selpak? We still need plenty of help from volunteers and community members to make the Sangker River Run a reality. 

From hydration stalls to directing participants, we’ll need plenty of people to make it all happen. Volunteering is perfect for family members and friends who want to help out while they cheer on the runners and cyclists! Join us on 20 January (and a few days before and after) to support Phare Ponleu Selpak and to make new friends along the way.

Interested in volunteering? Please fill out this volunteer sign-up form and we’re glad to have you on the team!

Explore blog posts related to the Sangker River Run

Thank you so much for your interest in the Sangker River Run! We hope to see you at the starting line on Saturday 20 January 2024.

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