The Cambodia Run Challenge 2024
29 November 2024 – 1 December 2024
The Cambodia Run team is excited to return to Cambodia for the 2024 edition. This year’s run will include two days passing through the villages of Chi Kraeng District where TGF provides support, and the experience culminates with the iconic Angkor Wat Half Marathon.
The Journey
Day 1 (45 kms)
Friday, 29 November 2024
On the first day, we head north, following a route familiar from previous trips in Cambodia. Along the way, we’ll pass through villages like Sambour, where families benefit from TGF-supported biogas facilities, and Phlong, where our children’s education program supports a primary school and a newly renovated library. We’ll also pass the Mkak water reservoir, the largest reservoir for TGF’s target communities.
Throughout most of the villages, we’ll be running through, TGF has provided over 15 years of continuous support. This support includes village savings groups, farmer field schools, latrine and well construction, immunisation campaigns, malnutrition reduction programmes, and more.
Day 2 (48 kms)
Saturday, 30 November 2024
On the second day, we take the southern route, passing two piped water systems in Trapeang Veng and O-Kraom, demonstrating TGF’s impact on clean water access. We’ll see more kindergartens, like the one in Thnal Lok. Our run will also take us to O-Samaki Primary School, where we’ll have the opportunity to meet the students who benefit from the school’s renovated library and its integrated education and water programs – some of the students may even join us for part of the run!
Day 3 (21.1kms)
Sunday, 1 December 2024
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
At the end of the second day run, we’ll arrange transport for everyone to Siem Reap, about 70 km from the TGF sub-office. On Sunday morning, the final day of our Cambodia run, the runners will participate in the International Angkor Wat Half Marathon.
Meet The Runners
Mark Ferguson
Cambodia Run Challenge Co-Founder
Mark, originally from Scotland, moved to Asia in 2008. Before focusing on running, he played professional club cricket and represented both Scotland and Hong Kong. Now an ultramarathon veteran, Mark’s notable achievements include the 78km Hong Kong Raleigh Challenge and the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker.
Matt Pocock
Cambodia Run Challenge Co-Founder
In 2017, Matt and Mark co-founded the Cambodia Run, a 320-kilometre event from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat over six days, to raise funds for the Temple Garden Foundation. Matt developed a passion for running during a 14-year residency in Hong Kong that began in 2008. Among his favorite races are Racing the Planet Gobi Desert, HK100, Oxfam Trailwalker, and the Nepal Action Asia Ultra. Since returning to the UK, Matt has run around the Isle of Wight (117 kilometres) to support a UK-based charity.
Oliver Otto
Oliver, a German national, has called Asia home since 1987. His passion for endurance sports started with cycling and triathlons before shifting to ultra-running. For Oliver, each race is both a challenge and an opportunity to explore new landscapes. His accomplishments include finishing a full-distance Ironman in Frankfurt, completing the 60k Fuji 3 Lakes run, and traversing the remote areas of the Vietnam Trail Marathon. In 2023, he also completed the Chicago Marathon. Now, Oliver is channeling his passion for running into making a positive impact in Cambodia’s poorest areas.
Angus Walker
An Australian expatriate living in Hong Kong since 2015, Angus has been passionate about distance running from a young age. He enjoys the social aspect, the sense of accomplishment, and the challenge of endurance sports. Despite a love for water, Angus feels more at home on land. He has completed numerous endurance events, including Hong Kong’s trails, Sydney’s City2Surf, a quarantine hotel marathon, and several regular marathons. He aspires to complete a marathon on every continent, with a few still to go.
Peter Wild
Peter has served as a trustee of the Temple Garden Foundation since 2018. Currently residing in London after spending five years in Singapore, he embarked on his running journey later in life. His inaugural half marathon was the Angkor Temple Run in 2019. Since then, he has participated in various marathons, including those held in Boston, London, and Berlin, as well as several triathlons.
Ben Willsher
Ben is a British-German runner currently living in Singapore. He grew up in Hong Kong, where he developed a love for hiking and trail running. He competed in the Hong Kong Trailwalker in 2012 and now regularly participates in road and trail events. Since attending a TGF charity fundraiser in 2016, Ben has been a strong supporter of the charity’s mission to uplift vulnerable communities in Cambodia. This year, inspired by TGF’s meaningful work, Ben is taking on the challenge of this 100k+ adventure.
The Cambodia Run Challenge 2022 Highlights
Goal to fight poverty
Runners
Back-to-back long-distance runs
Days
Kilometres
of $120,000 goal raised
The Cambodia Run Challenge 2022 Photo Gallery
News & Blog
