By Ung Chamroeun | ThmeyThmey Media Group
Takeo: If it poses no threat to natural resources, botanical gardens, and especially forests and wildlife, some runners wish to see the Phnom Tamao area become a destination for absorbing green energy and fresh air through walking and running across various terrains.
Located in Bati District, Takeo Province, Phnom Tamao is less than 50 kilometers from Phnom Penh, taking only about an hour to reach. On Saturday, September 26, runners from ThmeyThmey Media Group joined a running group from Borey Chamkar Dong (CKD) to experience trail running for the first time, organized by Mr. Keo Vanney, founder of the Bati Running Club.
Despite the light rain, a total of around 20 runners—comprising both guests from the capital and local residents—departed from Mr. Vanney's home in Knar Village, Krang Thnong Commune, at 5:30 AM. They ran along gravel and paved roads for about 2 kilometers toward the grounds of the Bati National Football Center and Academy.
After looping around the National Football Academy, the runners continued into the protected forest zone, tackling various road conditions including sand, water crossings, and muddy monsoon paths before reaching the foot of Mount Tamao. As they ran up the slope toward Wat Phnom Tamao, all the runners enjoyed the lush green view from above the mountain, where parts of Phnom Penh could also be seen in the distance. The site also features a 30-meter-high brick temple structure built in the 11th century.
Descending the mountain steps, the runners saw a statue of the elephant named "Lucky" on their left, which Mr. Try Sitheng, a former elephant keeper, initiated to honor this intelligent and loyal creature. Afterward, the runners continued toward the grounds of the Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Center.
Since it was an informal recreational run, Mr. Vanney did not lead the guests inside the zoo. Instead, he led them along an existing cleared forest trail toward Wat Ashram Thmor Antong. The adventurers did not enter the hermitage itself due to surrounding fencing, but they were able to refill their water bottles before moving forward, thanks to the attentive arrangements made by the Bati Running Club members.
Leaving the temple grounds, the runners made their way back to the starting point, overcoming additional challenges by running along gravel paths to complete a total distance of approximately 25 kilometers. After a refreshingly tiring experience during their first run at Phnom Tamao, the host prepared a large pot of rice porridge served with delicious dried fish and canned fish for the guests from ThmeyThmey and the Chamkar Dong group.
Beyond being a vast protected forest area and a sanctuary for various wildlife species, the Takeo Provincial Administration highlighted that Phnom Tamao is a diverse resort destination featuring ancient temples, forested mountains, and the largest zoo in Cambodia. In fact, Mr. Keo Vanney is a newcomer to the area, but after moving to live with his wife—a local resident—the Banteay Meanchey native fell in love with the beauty of Phnom Tamao. He regularly encourages local children to join health runs and breathe in the fresh air, even though many trees are only just sprouting back after past large-scale land clearing.
Similar to the Angkor forest area, which is organized for tourists to walk and explore, Mr. Vanney and other runners hope to see Phnom Tamao reach its potential beyond just being a zoo—where tourists can run, seek adventure, learn about history and the ecosystem, and perhaps even participate in organized running events in the future. However, everything must undergo deep study to avoid any accidental damage or harm to natural resources.
It is worth recalling that on August 7, 2022, Samdech Hun Sen—who was Prime Minister at the time—decided to cancel all private company development projects in the Phnom Tamao area. This decision was made following public requests to preserve the land and forest as a protected and conserved zone under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, while also requiring replanting efforts on the land cleared by the company.
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