MACAU, November 29 - The ‘Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region - 2024 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon’, jointly organized by the Sports Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), and the General Association of Athletics of Macau (AGAM), is set to take place on 1 December (Sunday). The Organizing Committee held a pre-race press conference today (29 November) to introduce the race details and arrange for a number of invited long-distance runners to meet the media.

12,000 participants to vie for the championship in different categories

The Macao International Marathon has reached its 43^rd edition this year, and 12,000 participants from over 50 countries and regions will set out from the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium at 6 a.m. (for the marathon and half-marathon categories) and at 6:15 a.m. (for the mini-marathon category) on 1 December. The marathon and half-marathon courses will once again run along the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, pass by the World Heritage attraction A-Ma Temple and run along the Sai Van Bridge.

A host of athletes from Mainland China, Kenya, Ethiopia and Russia have been invited to compete in the event this year, including the reigning Macao International Marathon men’s champion Fikadu Debele from Ethiopia, as well as athletes from Portuguese-speaking countries and regions including Angola, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Goa (India). Macao representatives Wang Kun and Xu Zhonghuang will also be competing with other runners. Moreover, this year the Organizing Committee has once again invited Rosa Mota, Olympic gold medalist in women's marathon from Portugal, to Macao to engage in exchange with runners in Macao and encourage them in preparation for the race.

Mr. Luís Gomes, President of the Sports Bureau, remarked that this year marks the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25^th anniversary of establishment of the Macao SAR, which makes this event even more significant. With concerted efforts from the Organizing Committee, the Macao International Marathon will continue to stand as an iconic and appealing sporting event in Macao and to drive the sports development in Macao. The synergistic effect of sporting events will bolster the city’s sports industry and moderate economic diversification. He also expressed his gratitude to GEG for their continued and generous investment into the Macao International Marathon and local sports industry, and the AGAM for their efforts in organizing the event, and to government departments, all sectors of society and long-distance running enthusiasts for their support over the years.

Mr. Buddy Lam, Director of Corporate Affairs of Galaxy Entertainment Group, said, “In alignment with the ‘Double Celebrations’, GEG proactively launched the GEG Handover Cup and the ‘Most Creative Costume Award’ and organized the Marathon Carnival. We also connect with different local communities, such as launching the ‘Run with a Partner’ program with the Macau Special Olympics and the event’s eco-friendly jacket with local SMEs, to encourage local communities and tourists from around the world to participate in the event and showcase Macau’s unique vitality as a ‘City of Sports’ to the world amidst the festive atmosphere of ‘Double Celebrations’.”

Mr. Chan Pou Sin, President of AGAM, said the Organizing Committee has continuously enhanced the various preparations to sincerely and enthusiastically welcome each and every runner and to make the 43^rd Macao International Marathon a success. He expressed his appreciation to the participants as well as staff members, luminaries of society, enterprises, organizations, and the general public.

Rich elements to elevate the festive atmosphere of the event

To further immerse participants, residents and tourists in the joyful and festive atmosphere of the event, the ‘2024 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon Carnival’ will be held at Broadway Food Street of Broadway Macau™ on 30 November and 1 December, featuring marathon-themed photo spots, classic games, Marathon-themed crossover products with cultural and creative brands as well as interactive performances. Race participants, residents and tourists are all welcome to join to experience the festive atmosphere of the event. Participants of on-site lucky draws also stand a chance to win prizes including electronics, hotel stays and dining offers. The opening ceremony of the Carnival will be held at 2 p.m. on 30 November.

To encourage local participants to achieve great results, the ‘GEG Handover Cup’ will be introduced in this edition’s event, with the top three winners in the Macao men’s and women’s categories of the marathon and the half-marathon to be awarded prizes. The popular ‘Most Creative Costume Award’ competition will be held again this year. Participants of the 2024 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon can take a photo with their creative costume during the event, upload the photo via the ‘Macao Marathon’ mobile application and fill out the required information to join the competition. The results will be announced on 1 December after the races conclude and the awards will be presented at the same time.

Traffic control measures to be implemented during the event

To cooperate with the competition arrangements, traffic along the racecourse will be restricted starting 11 p.m. on 30 November (Saturday) and completely cordoned off from 4:30 a.m. on 1 December (Sunday). During the event, the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (between Taipa and Macao) and the Sai Van Bridge (from Taipa to Macao) will be used as part of the racecourse. The public are kindly requested to use the Friendship Bridge when travelling between the Macao Peninsula and Taipa, the Macao Bridge when travelling between New Urban Zone A and Taipa, and Avenida do Aeroporto and Estrada Flor De Lótus when travelling between Taipa and Coloane.

To reduce the impact on traffic, the racecourse will be reopened in sections: The Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge at 7:10 a.m. after closure at 6 a.m.; Estádio Rotunda and Estrada Governador Albano de Oliveira (next to the Jockey Club) at 7:30 a.m.; sections on the Macao Peninsula at 9:30 a.m.; the Sai Van Bridge (from Taipa to Macao) at 10 a.m., respectively. Avenida Marginal Flor de Lótus, Rotunda dos Jogos da Ásia Oriental, Avenida dos Jogos da Ásia Oriental and the rest of the racecourse will be successively opened from noon onwards until after the races finish. The Organizing Committee urges the public to take note of the temporary diversion measures, plan travel routes in advance, pay attention to the diversion signs and follow the instructions of the on-site police officers.

Participants to collect number bib before 10 p.m. tomorrow

Participants who have yet to collect their number bib are reminded to collect their bib and information document from M/F of Broadway Macau™ between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on 29 November, and between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on 30 November by presenting their registration receipt and identification document. Those unable to collect their bib in person may authorize another person to do so on their behalf by signing the registration receipt’s authorization slip; the authorized person is required to present their identification document, the signed registration receipt, and a copy of the participant’s identification document.

Participants are also reminded to carefully read the regulations and understand the racecourse and are advised to prepare and practice for the event depending on their own physical condition. For more information, please visit the event’s official website at www.macaomarathon.comor the ‘Macao Marathon’ mobile application or follow the ‘Macao Major Sporting Events’ Facebook page, ‘澳門體育’ (Macao Sports) WeChat public account and ‘澳門特區體育局’ (Macao SAR Sports Bureau) WeChat subscription account.