The 36th Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon, hosted by the Sports Bureau and the General Association of Athletics of Macau, and specially sponsored by the Galaxy Entertainment Group was held on 3rd December. In the morning that day, a total of 12,000 runners gathered at the Olympic Sports Centre at 6:00 a.m. and set out challenging three events, namely full-marathon, half-marathon and mini-marathon. The overall female champion in the whole event was won by Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa, a silver-medalist in the marathon event in the Rio Olympic Games, finishing the event in 2 hours 29 minutes and 12 seconds which broke the record of the event. Kenyan runner Felix Kiptoo Kirwa, won the male champion by finishing the event in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 01 second. His result also broke the record of the event.
The Best Three Males Come from Kenya
The Macau International Marathon this year attracted a total of 12,000 runners from 53 countries and regions. Officiating guests were Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, President of the Sports Bureau Pun Weng Kun, President of the General Association of Athletics of Macau Ma Iao Hang, Vice President of the Galaxy Entertainment Group Loi Iu Tong, and consultant of the Galaxy Entertainment Group Valente fired shots to start the event. Runners from all groups set out from the Olympic Sports Centre. The entire route of the full-marathon passed through Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho, Anim'Arte Nam Van, Sai Van, and Barra, etc, and went back to Cotai through Sai Van Bridge to start the second circle.
After the intensive race which lasted over 2 hours, runners from Kenya won the first three positions in the male category once again. Kirwa made it in 2 hours 10 minutes and 01 second, the shortest time among all, and won the champion and broke the record of the event. His compatriots Joseph Kyengo Munywoki and Henry Sang also reached the finishing line three minutes later. In the women's event, Kirwa from Bahrain, a silver-medalist in the Rio Olympics and a gold-medalist in the Incheon Asian Games, won the women's overall champion and set a new record of the event (2 hours 29 minutes 12 seconds) without obstacle. Nita from Ethiopia ranked the second (2 hours 31 minutes 48 seconds). Shafar Oleksandra from Ukraine was third and Rodah Jepkorir Tanui from Kenya was fourth.
Chan Chong Ip and Hoi Long were the best in Macao
Macao runner Chan Chong Ip defended his champion with the result of 2 hours 38 minutes and 28 seconds. Lam Chak In finished it in 2 hours 46 minutes and 29 seconds and won the first runner-up in the Macao category. Chan Kai Un, who finished 3 minutes later, ranked the third. In the women's event, Hoi Long broke the Macao record with 2 hours 55 minutes and 46 seconds. At the same time her result also surpassed that of her senior, Leong Lai Heong, and Hoi became the first female runner who won 10 champions in the Macao category. Ieong Mei Na and Lao Keng Heong were the second and the third in the Macao category, respectively.
