The 2021 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), will be held on 5 December 2021 (Sunday).  The Organizing Committee today held a press conference to announce details and related information of the event.

Participants to vie for top honors in different categories

The Macao International Marathon is celebrating its 40^th edition this year, with 12,000 participants taking part in the event.  The marathon and half-marathon races will start at 6am and the mini-marathon race at 6:15am at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.  The marathon and half-marathon courses will once again pass by the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the World Heritage attraction A-Ma Temple, and run along the Sai Van Bridge.

Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau, said at the press conference that the Macao International Marathon reaches its 40^th edition this year, and the event has always had the support of marathon runners and long-distance running enthusiasts.  After years of continuous development and improvement, it has become one of biggest annual sporting events in Macao.  Given the stable epidemic situation, the event is proceeding as planned, demonstrating that Macao is a vibrant and safe city for visitors.  It is hoped that the event can leverage synergistic effects and promote the development of different industries.

Mr. Lam Hin Fu, President of the General Association of Athletics of Macau, said that the Association has started preparatory work in advance for the Macao International Marathon, including hiring and training staff and measuring the track.  He wished the runners the best of results at this exciting event.

Mr. Buddy Lam, Senior Vice President of Public Relations of GEG, said that GEG would like to thank the support and recognition of the organizers, as this year marks the 18^th consecutive year that GEG title-sponsors the event, so that they can fully support the development of sports and tourism development in Macao, and assist the Government in building Macao as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

Participants must comply with anti-epidemic measures

In compliance with anti-pandemic measures implemented by the Organizing Committee, all participants are required to have completed two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days in advance (i.e. 21 November or before) prior to the race.  Participants are also required to make their own arrangement for COVID-19 test and to present proof of a valid negative COVID-19 test result (inclusive of race day) before being permitted to take part in the race.  All participants are required to wear the identification wristband (for anti-pandemic purposes) provided by the organizers, and to follow and comply with the anti-epidemic measures.

Participants who have yet to collect their bib are reminded to collect their bib, timing chip, identification wristband (for anti-pandemic purposes) and information document at 12:00-21:00 today (3 December) and at 12:00-22:00 tomorrow (4 December) on M/F ofBroadway Macau^TM, upon presentation of their registration receipt, identification document, a proof of COVID-19 vaccination and valid negative COVID-19 test result.  Participants who are unable to collect the items may authorize another person to collect on his/her behalf by signing the authorization on the registration receipt.  The person collecting on behalf of the participants must present his/her ID, the registration receipt, a copy of the participant’s ID, proof of COVID-19 vaccination and negative COVID-19 test result.

Traffic control measures to be implemented during the races

Traffic control measures will be implemented on some public roads from 23:00 on 4 December (Saturday), with the other public roads that make up the race course being closed to traffic from 4am on 5 December (Sunday).  As the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the Sai Van Bridge (Taipa to Macau) will be used for the races, the Organizing Committee asks the public to use the Amizade Bridge (between Macao Peninsula and Taipa), and Avenida do Aeroporto or Estrada do Istmo (between Taipa and Coloane).

To reduce the impact on the use of public roads, the reopening of the roads will be carried out in a phased manner.  The Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge will be closed to traffic at 05:50 and will reopen at 07:10; Estádio Rotunda and Estrada Governador Albano de Oliveira will be reopened at 07:15; the roads in the Macao Peninsula and Sai Van Bridge (from Taipa to Macao) will reopen at 09:30, Rotunda dos Jogos da Ásia Oriental, Avenida dos Jogos da Ásia Oriental, Avenida Marginal Flor de Lótus and all remaining roads will be reopened at 11:30.  The Organizing Committee urges the public to pay attention to the traffic control measures and plan their transportation in advance, as well as to follow traffic signs and instructions from the police.

New milestone of the event to be celebrated with online and hands-on activities

In celebration of the 40^th edition, a number of online and hands-on activities will be held to engage residents, tourists and runners in the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon and immerse everyone in the joyful and lively atmosphere of the event.  Participants are also in with a chance to win prizes from the Organizing Committee or the title sponsor.

Ÿ“Fab 40” Online Activity Series: the series include “40 Years of Marathon Together” Photo Collection activity, “Fab 40” Marathon Photo Sharing and Lucky Draw and “40 Years of Running” WeChat game.

• Participants of the “40 Years of Marathon Together” Photo Collection Activity  may send any copyrighted photos and photos of items related to the Macao International Marathon, via email to dperi@sport.gov.mo, together with captions and a contact phone number.  Contributors whose photos are accepted and published will win a complete set of 40^th Macao International Marathon souvenirs.
• Participants of the “Fab 40” Marathon Photo Sharing and Lucky Draw may take photos related to the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon between 15 November and 5 December, and upload the photos to their personal accounts on social media platforms.  They can then upload a screenshot of the post to www.macaomarathon.com/en/fab40 or via the Macao International Marathon mobile app, and fill in their personal information to enter the lucky draw.  Prizes include a car, hotel accommodation, F&B vouchers and cinema tickets.
• Participants of the “40 Years of Running” WeChat game may visit the ‘Macao International Major Sporting Events’ WeChat account to join this relay-style game. Teams with more participants will be in with a higher chance to win.

ŸMost Creative Costume Award: interested runners taking part in the 2021 Macao International Marathon may take a photo with their costume and upload the photo to via the Macao International mobile app in order to join this competition.

Ÿ2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon Carnival: the Carnival is being held at Broadway Macau^TM, with a wide array of game booths, performances and live lucky draw.  The Carnival will end at 22:00 on 4 December.

Participants are reminded to practice and prepare for the races as their level of fitness permits, and to read the regulations carefully.  For more information, please visit the official website www.macaomarathon.com, the ‘Macao Major Sporting Events’ Facebook page, or the ‘Macao International Major Sporting Events’ WeChat official account.