Manulife Celebrates 30 Years of the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon with the Theme ‘Run for Longevity’
NEWS RELEASE
Oct 3rd, 2025
Phnom Penh – Manulife, in proud partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Angkor International Half Marathon under the inspiring theme “Run for Longevity.” Cambodia’s biggest charity race honors three decades of endurance, community, and cultural heritage, welcoming runners from across Cambodia and around the world to the majestic Angkor Archaeological Park.
A Legacy of Impact Since 1996
First held in 1996, the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, making it the first Southeast Asia’s longest-running and most iconic race. Manulife is proud to mark 12 years of partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), underscoring its ongoing commitment to promoting sustained health and well-being, while also supporting local tourism and the national economy. Last year, the event drew 14,370 participants from 87 countries—including Prime Minister Hun Manet, who joined the run. Among the inaugural runners in 1996 was Uncle Rithya, the first Cambodian to complete the 21KM half marathon with an impressive time of 1 hour and 13 minutes. Now 58, he continues to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle, thanks to the lifelong habit of running.
Why “Run for Longevity”?
According to the recent Manulife Asia Care Survey released in July 2025, people across Asia are redefining what it means to age well. Instead of simply wanting to live longer, 46% of respondents prioritize a meaningful and high-quality life. 36% want to avoid being a burden to their families, and 31% hope to age with dignity—free from chronic illness or disability. The findings reflect a growing desire to stay physically, mentally, and financially healthy in later years.
Voices of Leadership: A Shared Vision for Health and Growth
During the press conference to launch this year’s theme, both Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia, and H.E. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the NOCC, shared their reflections on the remarkable growth of the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon and the deeper mission behind “Run for Longevity”.
“Longevity is about adding life to years, not just years to life,” said Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia. “As a runner myself, I’ve embraced this philosophy—not just through physical activity, but through a broader commitment to well-being. This is exactly why we chose “Run for Longevity” as our theme. At Manulife, our mission is to help people achieve that—whether they are our customers, employees, agents, partners, or the communities we serve. And this race, now in its 30th year, is a powerful symbol of that journey.”
H.E. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, remarked on the growth of the event, saying: “Manulife’s support has been instrumental in expanding the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon from just 500 runners in 1996 to over 14,370 participants last year. This growth is a testament to our long-term partnership and shared vision to promoting better health and quality of life through sport”.
Secure Your Spot Today
If you don't want to miss the breathtaking experience of racing through ancient temples at the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, be sure to register before October 24 to secure your spot at the 2025 Angkor International Half Marathon, taking place on December 7.
Register here for local: https://kh.checkpointspot.asia/event/Angkor-Wat-International-HM-2025
Register here for international: https://worldsmarathons.com/marathon/angkor-wat-international-half-marathon
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.
About Manulife Cambodia
Manulife Cambodia started its operations on June 28, 2012. As the first wholly foreign-owned life insurance company in the kingdom, we are passionate about our commitment to help build a better financial future for Cambodian families. For more information, please visit www.manulife.com or contact us at 1800 211 211.
Media Contact
Vichean Chea
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