The “2018 Macao International Marathon”, hosted by the Sports Bureau and the Athletic General Association of Macau, took place on the 2nd of December at Olympic Sports Centre-Stadium. This event attracted over 12,000 athletes coming from fifty countries and regions to compete. Felix Kiptoo Kirwa and Mercy Jerotich Kibarus, who were invited from Kenya, achieved the results of 2 hours 15 minutes 18 seconds and 2 hours 35 minutes 16 seconds, respectively. They won first place overall in the men's category and the women's category.
The Macao International Marathon, as a finale among the large-scale sports events every year, was held for the 37th time this year. Both the full marathon and the half marathon event commenced at 6:00 a.m. on that day. The launching ceremony of the event was officiated with a gunshot by Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau, Ma Iao Hang, President of the Athletic General Association of Macau, Francis Lui, Deputy Chairman of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, Philip Cheng, Director of the Galaxy Entertainment Group and Consultant Jorge Neto Valente.
Kenyan runners Felix Kiptoo Kirwa and Mercy Jerotich Kibarus, who were the champions in the men's category and the women's category in Sydney Marathon respectively, attracted most attention in the event. Felix Kiptoo Kirwa from the men's category maintained the lead from the start of the race. Eventually, he finished the race in the overall shortest time. Two runners from the same country, Joseph Kyengo Munywoki and Samwel Kiptanui Maswai, won the runner-up and the second runner-up. In the women's category, Kibarus wasthe best runner as expected. Ri Kwang Ok from North Korea and Oleksandra Shafar crossed the finishing line subsequently. Macao athletes Chan Chong Ip and Hoi Long won Macao champions in the men's category and the women's category, with the results of 2 hours 41 minutes 55 seconds and 3 hours 2 minutes and 4 seconds, respectively. Chan Chong Ip reached his goal of winning 3 consecutive times. Hoi Long, who was in the 9th place in the women's category with her overall result, even realized the dream of winning 11 consecutive times.
In addition, the oldest athlete in the whole marathon event who had finished the race was also awarded the“Senior Cup”. The awardee was Kwan Kam Tong from Hong Kong (China), aged 81.
