Dream lives on for Cambodian lass

MANILA, Philippines - For Ly Nary, the dream of being recognized as one of the best female runners in Asia and the world has not ceased up to this day.

Forty-one year-old Nary recently added another milestone under her name when she finished second in the 42-kilometer (foreign) female category of the Run United Philippine Marathon (RUPM), the third and last leg of the RunRio Trilogy, sponsored by Unilab Active Health (ULAH).

She clocked less than 10 seconds behind first placer Susan Jemutai from the 18-34 year-old category, and ahead of Camille Chua from the 35-39 category.

“In Cambodia, females usually just stay home and become mere homemakers,” said Nary, acknowledged as Cambodia’s first and currently only female marathon runner. “They think getting involved in competitive sports is a crazy idea, which is why I strive to continue running to inspire the younger generation of Cambodians.”

Cambodia’s National Olympic Committee and United Pharma sent Nary and another RUPM participant, Bunting Hem, to compete here as a prize for recently winning the 2013 Phnom Penh International Half Marathon.

Nary, who also works as a research scientist focusing on pathogen research, confessed that she is actually a late bloomer when it comes to running competitively, having started in 2009 at 37.

“Before, I was already into sports –volleyball and taekwondo – I have always lived an active life,” shares Nary.

“When I went to New York (to pursue a post-doctorate degree), I got involved in the local running club it started to nurture my fondness for running.”

After successfully finishing her first-ever full marathon in New York, Nary went on to compete in other races internationally. To this day, she has already completed a total of six races in different countries, such as New York, France, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.