November 2010 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Lifestyle
Angkor Wat Half Marathon
Text and Photos Annabelle Deken
On behalf of Room to Read, both Inge & Annabelle will
be running the 15 th Angkor Wat Half Marathon again on
Sunday 5 December 2010. For our readers who are not
familiar with Angkor Wat; it is a UNESCO world heritage
site located in the North of Cambodia built for king
Suryavarman II in the early 12 th century as his state temple
and capital city. Though the temple was initially founded
as a Hindu temple, dedicated to the god Vishnu, it later
became a Buddhist religious site.
The race course offers fantastic views of these historical
temples and lush jungle, reflecting in the ponds and moats
as the morning mist rises. The run starts right in front of
Angkor Wat, then around it’s moat towards Ta Prohm,
turning left to pass by Banteay Kdei, through the Victory
Gate of Angkor Thom, along the Elephant Terrace, around
the Bayon and back through the Angkor Thom South Gate
to the finish line. Not only does this international charity
event benefit landmine victims and other Cambodian
developments, it is an absolutely amazing race which we
highly recommend! Expect local kids wanting to clap hands
with you whilst you are running past them, great views
of the 12th century temples, elephants cheering you on
along the way whilst all dressed up and be prepared to take
a quick picture of a fellow-runner in front of the Bayon.
Meanwhile, there are enough water stations en-route
and before you know it, you are back in front of Angkor. If
you think 21km is too much of a challenge, it’ll be good to
know there is also a 10km and a 3km family run.
However, should you decide to do none of the above
but are interested to sponsor us, please do donate
generously to “Room to Read”, a charity organization
seeking to transform the lives of children in developing
countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in
education. Last year we were able to send 4 girls to primary
school and learn how to read. This year we are aiming to
raise enough money to send 10 girls to school, because
when you educate a girl, you educate the next generation.
6 STEPS TO DONATE:
1. www.roomtoread.org
2. Click on “DONATE”
3. “Fund our Greatest Need”
4. Select “If you are making a gift in honor of one or more
friends or relatives, please click here”
5. Under “Donation Information” after you enter the
amount, it asks for Designation – in the pull-down
menu, chose “Cambodia Girls’ Education”
6. Under “Tribute Information” ask: click in honor of, then
FIRST NAME: Inge & Annabelle, under LAST NAME:
Angkor Marathon Sponsorship
It costs about 250USD to bring 1 Girl a full year to
school so all donations are welcome from USD10 to .....
Thank you for your generous gifts and we will RUN for
you!!!!
Inge Sibbing-Veelenturf & Annabelle Deken
20