The 8th Angkor Ultra Trail, or Ultra Trail d’Angkor (UTA), took place on January 18, showing a remarkable increase in participation from Cambodian runners.

The event was organized in Angkor Archaeological Park, with distances of 18, 32, 42, 64 and 100 kilometers. A new 18km Nordic Walk was introduced this year.

In an interview with Ung Chamroeun of ThmeyThmey, Jean Claude Le Cornec, a French long-distance running expert and founder of both Sport Development Performance Organisation (SDPO) and Angkor Ultra Trail, shared insights into the event's achievements and future direction.

Ung Chamroeun: How do you evaluate the organization of this eighth event?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: It was a great success, and we can see the growing enthusiasm for this extraordinary event, as it takes place entirely within the heart of the Angkor archaeological site. We now regularly have 50 countries represented, with a leading trio consisting of France, Cambodia and Vietnam. From barely 300 participants in the first event in 2016, we have grown to 1,750 in 2025.

Ung Chamroeun: We notice an increase in the number of Cambodian participants. What do you think about this? Is it a dream come true for you?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: We can say that the UTA has contributed to the rise of Cambodian participants, both in Cambodia and among Cambodians living in France. More and more Cambodians are signing up for the flagship 100km UTA event, and there is also a representative Cambodian team participating in the Trail World Championship. Children born in France to Cambodian parents who fled the war, like Laurie Phai, the event's godmother, have become well known in her country of origin through the Ultra Trail d'Angkor. I think I can be proud of this achievement.

Ung Chamroeun: Two Cambodian women finished second and third in the 100km ultra-trail race. Can this encourage others to participate in this long-distance event?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: Yes, naturally, but the momentum is already building. Our ambassador, Kim Saroeun (alias Kim Kok), who lives in Phnom Penh, alone brings us 162 runners, including 38 participants in the Ultra Trail 100km and 43 in the Bayon Trail 64km. Cambodia is the most represented nation in the 100km race.

Ung Chamroeun: How does SDPO - Ultra-Trail d'Angkor contribute to the development, culture, and tourism of Cambodia?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: First, let’s come back to the origins of SDPO. Upon returning from the United States in 1995, after winning the Chicago-Los Angeles race on Route 66, I felt tired of running aimlessly. So, I created an event that combined sport and culture, which was unheard of at the time. We would run in the morning and visit the country in the afternoon. "Les Foulees de la Soie," a legendary stage race along the Silk Road in China, was, in my eyes, unparalleled and had a successful run for 20 years. We were pioneers in associating sport and culture. This event still exists today, focusing on the same concept, but with fewer participants, and we are no longer in China.

In Cambodia, I wanted to employ the same concept as "Les Foulees de la Soie," but with the difference that the UTA is not a stage race but a one-day event. Naturally, I proposed a cultural week leading up to the race. It was a winning bet, as nearly 150 participants joined our program this year. A diverse tourist program was set up, much to the delight of the participants. For this, I rely on the experience and support of Phoenix Voyage, SDPO's historical partner. Participants spend a lot in Siem Reap, and we filled two hotels, which significantly contributes to the local economy.

Ung Chamroeun: I’ve seen that some Cambodian runners wish to request a longer course than 100km, such as 110km or 128km. If there is an official request, what do you think?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: Personally, I have never received such a request. You should know that at the origin and since the creation of the UTA, the longest distance was 128km, not 100km. It was at the request and advice of high-level trail runners, including Antoine Guillon, a former world trail champion, and Christophe Le Saux, an icon among trail runners, that we reduced the distance. At the time, Antoine completed the 128km in 14 hours, while the last runner finished in 27 hours. You can see the time difference and the gap between the first and last finishers. I was also a high-level athlete, and I know the difficulty of such events, what it takes to push oneself to the limit. While the mind may be willing, the physical condition must follow, and I find it inconceivable that runners who only train two or three times a week would sign up for distances like 128km.

An additional 28km represents 6 more hours for the slower runners. Although it’s not a mountain race, the challenges in Cambodia are real, from the heat and humidity to unstable sandy sections, rice fields and ruts. You need strong ankles.

I also couldn’t mobilize hundreds of police officers for 27 hours, which explains the decision. I think the runners understand this.

Ung Chamroeun: Do you have anything to add?

Jean Claude Le Cornec: There is much to add, but I can’t keep you for hours, as this would turn into a book rather than an article. In your questions, we’ve touched on various topics except for humanitarian work, which is important to me.

For 30 years, alongside my career at AIRBUS Helicopters, we have always participated in humanitarian operations and helped the less fortunate. In Cambodia, we support three NGOs and carry out parallel actions, such as repairing a small bridge at Phnom Bok, much to the joy of the villagers, and soon the complete restoration of the roof of the Prasat Cha school, located on the UTA 100km route.

We are also considering installing water pumps. For this, our platform is always open for donations, and we need everyone’s support to receive contributions.

Finally, as we don’t have a communications officer in our team of volunteers, we need trail ambassadors to help us spread the word. So, in advance, thank you to the trail runners who help us promote the UTA.