The 2020 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon, jointly organized by the Sports Bureau and the General Association of Athletics of Macau and title-sponsored by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), was held today (6 December) at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.  Chinese athletes Dong Guojian and Zhang Deshun won the men’s and the women’s category of the marathon respectively.

Marking its 39^th edition, the Macao International Marathon again welcomes elite athletes and long-distance running enthusiasts alike to compete for top honours in different categories.  The 42.195km marathon course runs along both the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the Sai Van Bridge and passes by the World Heritage attraction A-Ma Temple.  The marathon and half-marathon started at 6am while the mini-marathon started at 6:15am.  The start of the race was officiated by: Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; Lam Hin Fu, President of the General Association of Athletics of Macau; Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group; and Jorge Neto Valente, Group Advisor of Galaxy Entertainment Group.

The top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s marathon are all from China.  Dong Guojian led from start to finish to win ahead of Nianzhe A Ti and You Peiquan in 2:12:59.  Zhang Deshun broke the course record with a time of 2:28:43 en route to winning ahead of Chen Liqin and Feng Qing.

In the Macao athletes category, the top three in the men’s marathon are Chan Chong Ip, Chan Kai Un and Kuok Chi Wai.  The top three in the women’s marathon are Hoi Long, Wu Yangyang and Cheong Lai Peng.

The winners in all categories are as follows:

The winning organizations of the Active Group Trophies are as follows:

• Sport Association and Government Registered Organization: Care Action Macao;
• Public and Private Entities: Galaxy Entertainment Group;
• School: Macau Baptist College.

The Senior Trophy was won by 73-year-old Wang Meiqi.

The attending guests at the event included: Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; Ma Iao Hang, Chairman of the General Association of Athletics of Macau; Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group; José Tavares, Chairman of Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Municipal Affairs Bureau; Wang Yuping, Director of Sports Administration of Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau; Lin Zuoming, President of Fujian Provincial Sports Bureau; Wu Xiangming, Deputy Director of the Zhuhai Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau; Allen Lau and Christine Lam, Vice Presidents of the Sports Bureau; Jorge Neto Valente, Group Advisor of GEG; Philip Cheng, Director of GEG; Kong Chi Meng, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; and members of the Sports Committee.

The popular activities from previous years – ‘Join Us and Upload Best Shot to Win Lucky Draw’ and ‘Most Creative Costume Award’ again feature this year. Many participants for the ‘Most Creative Costume Award’have dressed up in their favourite costumes, and the winners have already been awarded prizes after the races concluded.  Interested participants for the ‘Join Us and Upload Best Shot to Win Lucky Draw’ upload a photo using the ‘Macao Marathon’ mobile app to be in with a chance to win prizes including car, hotel accommodation, F&B vouchers, spa treatment and cinema vouchers.  Winners will be announced on 14 December on the official website www.macaomarathon.com and the ‘Macao Marathon’ mobile app.

Athletes who successfully finished the race may check the result at www.macaomarathon.com and download the certificate at www.marathon-photos.com from 16 December.