OK, here is everything you need to know about the Angkor Empire Marathon this coming August.
The event takes place on Sunday, 9 August 2015. You have your choice of four runs:
Marathon (42km, $65)
Half marathon (21km, $60)
10km ($55)
3km family run ($35)
Registration is open from 1 Jan. to 25 July. (Above prices are for Jan.-June. They go up a bit if you wait till July.) Most of us seem to be interested in the half marathon, on the principle that a full marathon would be too much but 10km isn't enough if we're going all that way. The half starts at 6 am. so we should be done in time for Sunday brunch.
HJ and I will be getting there a day or two early to make sure everything is organized, but for the rest of you I would suggest flying Hatyai-Siem Reap (10:50-15:45) on Friday, 7 Aug. and then returning on Monday, 10 Aug (12:15-17:00). Those are the most efficient Air Asia flight times, i.e. with the minimum stopover in Bangkok, and can be purchased as a package -- you don't need to book separate Hdy-Bkk and Bkk-SR tickets. Current price is about B3500 each way.
The above schedule allows us to have a night on the town on Friday, a day touring Angkor on Saturday, and then the run on Sunday, probably followed by another afternoon/evening of post-run revelry. Siem Reap is a great party town, with very good food and excellent cheap fresh draft beer, "Angkor" brand of course.
So if you're up for this, and I know that at least a half dozen or so of us definitely are, here is all you need to do:
1) Go to http://www.angkorempiremarathon.org/index.php any time after 1 Jan. and register for whatever run you want.
2) Book your flights at http://www.airasia.com. If for any reason the above dates and times don't suit you, then we'll need to get together and discuss them, assuming people want to travel together.
3) Once you're on for sure, tell me so I can book rooms at the hotel. I've got a good place in mind and will check availability as soon as I know the rough numbers. It'll be about $35/night for a double room. I'll also arrange local transport: to Angkor and back on Saturday and to the runsite and back on Sunday. The party district of town -- and it's big -- is walkable from the hotel.
Any questions?
What's the deal on visas?
ReplyDeleteVisa on arrival at the airport, $20. They also want a 4x6cm photo but if you don't have it they just charge a couple bucks extra and copy the one from your passport. Make sure passports have at least 6 months validity!
ReplyDeleteBTW, Cambodia operates in US dollars and it's a good idea to have a pocketful of 20s and smaller.
Deal me in Beaver. How do you guys want to organise flight bookings, all together or individually? No matter to me, but probably a good a idea to get in early and get a good deal / seats, etc.
ReplyDeleteJust checked -- Thai nationals get 14 days visa-free on arrival. So only us honkies pay the $20.
ReplyDeleteCan't register till 1 Jan. so let's all register as soon as possible , then consider everyone who has registered as "definite" and let Beaver do his (first time) travel arranging thing. I'd be in the Friday departure., but will want to stay an extra day. return Tuesday.
ReplyDelete