Time passes by quickly and the Macao International Marathon is already celebrating its 30^th anniversary. The Macao International Marathon has not only gone through many challenges, it has also witnessed the growth of Macao. Over the years, local residents have worked diligently and forged ahead to break new grounds, bringing a new scene to the event, transforming it into a bright and beautiful “marquee event”; Macao’s second oldest sporting event after the Grand Prix. A group of caring and dedicated people created the first Macao Marathon in 1981, linking Macao, Taipa and Coloane. With the support of the Government and the joint efforts of the Association of Athletics of Macao, the Macao Marathon was able to grow and continue to expand and in 1990, with the recognition of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the competition was pushed forward to a new level.

The continuous development of society has also led to the continuous expansion of this event; from a single event during its initial stages, to its current three categories: the Full Marathon, the Half Marathon and the Mini Marathon. Expanding the scope of the competition allows people of different age groups and physical capabilities to participate. The “Youth Essay, Drawing Competition” and the “Photography Contest” under the theme of the Macao International Marathon were added in the last two years with the objective of broadening the scope of the promotion and popularization of the marathon culture. This not only allows residents of all ages to participate in this historical sports event, it also helps diversify and vitalise the means of promoting it.

The race course has also undergone a number of changes. In the early days, the course circled the Macao peninsula. Nowadays, even though the course has evolved, it still passes through the Macao peninsula, as well as Taipa and Coloane, with a focus on linking the scenery along the way, allowing the runners to enjoy the cityscape of Macao while competing in the event. The start and finish points of the race have also gone through several changes: the current and previous Grand Prix grandstands in the ZAPE area, in front of the old Liceu de Macao, the old Workers’ Field and the current Golden Lotus Square used to serve as the start and finish point of this event before the completion of the Macao Stadium in Taipa - currently the Olympic Sport Centre.

The promotion of the event has also kept up with the times, evolving from the print media of yesteryear to today’s diversified and multi-faceted means of publicity such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet, both locally and in neighbouring regions, as the promotional network continues to expand. The introduction of online registration and payment in 2007 not only made it more convenient for marathon enthusiasts around the world to participate in this event, it also internationalised the event.

The success of the event has attracted sponsors. The title sponsors of the early Marathons were commercial establishments, which strengthened the attractiveness of the event. In recent years, the ever expanding scale of the event and number of participating countries and regions have attracted the sponsorship of more commercial establishments. A long-term title sponsor was found in 2004, further enhancing the international visibility and attractiveness of this event. Entering its 30^th year, the number of participants in the Macao International Marathon has increased from 400 people in its inaugural edition to 6000 athletes from 60 countries and regions this year. This record-breaking number of entries adds lustre to local sports, earning them an international reputation.

The “Macao Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon 2011, organized by  the Macao Sport Development Board and the Association of Athletics of Macao with Galaxy Entertainment Group as its title sponsor, was held at the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium on December 4^th. The starting ceremony for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Mini Marathon was presided by Mr. Vong Iao Lek, President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Mr. Lam Hin Fu, President of the Association of Athletics of Macao and Mr. Francis Liu, Deputy Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group.

12 male athletes were especially invited to participate this year: last year’s winner Tekeste Nekatibeb Nurelign of Ethiopia, Zhang Wen and Yang Guangbin of China, Mikhail Lemaev of Russia, Stephen Chemlany and Julius Karinga of Kenya, Haile Haja Gemeda of Ethiopia, Getuli Bayo and John Leonard Karori of Tanzania, Pak Chol of North Korea, Lai Ho Ki of Hong Kong and Kuan Un Iao of Macao. 13 female athletes were also invited: Yang Dingrong and Zao Youli of China, Ehitu Kiros Reda, Tsehay Desalegn Adhana and Tsega Gelaw Reta of Ethiopia, Rose Kerubo Nyangacha and Winfrida Nyansikera of Kenya, Lyubov Morgunova of Russia, RO Un Ok and KIM Mi Gyong of North Korea, Maryna Damantsevich of Belarus, Chan Kit Yee of Hong Kong and Ieong Mei Na of Macao. A number of long-distance runners from Portuguese-speaking countries were also invited to participate in the race.

In addition, and in order to enrich the content of this event, the “Macao International Marathon Youth Essay Competition” was held again this year and the “Youth Drawing Competition” and “Photography Contest” were added. They were all warmly supported by all sectors of the community and altogether 295 entries were received for all categories. After much deliberation, the winners of Essay Competition were declared: Cheng Yi May bested the Junior Category, Tsang Yu Ming won Youth Category Group A, Lee Ching Lam had the best entry for Youth Category Group B, and the Youth Drawing Competition prize went to Kwan Hoi Yiu in the Junior Category. Lam Su Wa swept both the “black and white” and “colour” categories in the “Timeless” challenge of the “Photography Contest”.

2011 Macao Galaxy Entertainment Group International Marathon and Half Marathon Results:

Awards for Group: