The Macau International Marathon: going the extra mile in 2012

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of World Gaming magazine.

Early morning drizzle and chilly conditions set the scene for close to 6,000 runners at the 31st Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon. The obligatory Ethiopia versus Kenya battle for line honors was once again on in earnest. In addition to the cold conditions, the athletes had a surprise extra challenge awaiting them.

(From right to left) Vice Chairman ofGEG Mr Francis Lui, President of theMacau Sport Development Board MrVong Iao Lek, and President of theAssociation of Athletics of Macau Mr MaIao Hang, starting the race.

The Macau Marathon was first held in 1981 and is organised by the Macau Sport Development Board and the Macau Athletics Association. The event includes a full 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half-marathon and the 4.2 km Macau mini-marathon. The start/finish line for all three races is at the Macau Olympic Complex (usually referred to as Macau Stadium), with the marathon and half-marathon courses crossing the Sai Van bridge to take in various sights on the Macau peninsular. All three races pass headline sponsor Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Galaxy Macau property, and the full and half marathons pass through StarWorld, the other GEG flagship casino.

Our hats go off to Galaxy Entertainment Group whose support as the title sponsor has made this regular world-class marathon event possible for the last nine years. Their involvement has lifted the quality and prestige of the event on the international stage, as was demonstrated by the representation of athletes from 60 countries and regions. Over the years the Macau marathon has led somewhat of a Macau corporate running revolution. Recognizing the positive impact of friendly competition and personal challenge in their employees, GEG entered an impressive team of close to 500 people in the three races. Through several strong performances and sheer weight of numbers, GEG lifted the Group Trophy for an unprecedented eighth time. Mr Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG and a strong supporter of this festival of running, said:

The 9-year title-sponsorship signifies GEG’s ongoing effort on promoting local sports development. We greatly encourage our team members to participate in this meaningful event, which does not only inspire us with its spirit of commitment and perseverance, but also makes us realize the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The runners pass Galaxy Macau

Among Galaxy’s galaxy-of-stars were some of the executive members of GEG. Mr Philip Cheng, Director of GEG, Mr Michael Mecca, President and Chief Operating Officer of GEG, Mr Gabriel Hunterton, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Macau and Mr Charles So, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of StarWorld Hotel all lined up alongside their teammates and the rest of the international field.

One of GEG’s strongest performers was Shanti Devi Adhikari from the security department of Waldo Casino. Shanti was crowned female Mini-Marathon Champion. In her eighth year at the Macau marathon, Shanti said:

I am very happy to become the winner. It was a tough competition but thanks to the support from my colleagues and my experience in the marathon, I was able to surpass other strong runners to win the title.

Runners from the Galaxy team were boosted by their many colleagues who cheered them on and handed out drinks along the course. GEG even arranged cheerleaders to perform alongside the route as extra support for the runners.

The main event of the day was the marathon, or more accurately for this year, the ultra-marathon! Due to a measuring glitch, the marathon course surprised participants who needed to cover almost 45 kilometers, asking unsuspecting and tired legs to push an extra two-plus kilometers to reach the finish line.

At the end of the prolonged ordeal, Ethiopia’s Haile Haja Gemeda and Ehitu Kiros Reda took out the mens and womens marathon titles respectively. Gemeda, who according to the organizers came back this year to “fulfil his dream of winning”, sailed past the finish line in two hours 23 minutes and 56 seconds to lift the mens title. Kenyan Duncan Cheruiyot Koech was hot on his heels finishing second in 2:24:00, while Gemeda’s countryman Gezahegn Alemayehu Abebe took third in 2:24:11.

GEG team members Shanti (right) and Karki (left), the winner and second runner-up respectively in the mini-marathon

In the women’s event, Ethiopia had a one-two finish as Reda set the winning pace in 2:50:10 before Tsega Gelaw Reta finished in 2:51:04, with Irene Kemunto Mogaka of Kenya rounding out the top three in 2:51:21.

The male and female winners both take home US$20,000 for the win, courtesy of Galaxy Entertainment Group. And they certainly earned their pay this time round!

The best performance set by Macau locals belonged to Kuok Chi Wai in the mens marathon and Hoi Long in the womens. Kuok ran a strong 2:46:23, a close race with Chan Chong Ip from China whose 2:46:30 was just seven seconds slower.

The 500 GEG runners were delighted to take home agroup trophy again this year

The unique 2012 Macau International Marathon will go down in history for several reasons. A great turnout from far and wide, a sweep by Ethiopian runners, and let’s not forget the extra-stretchy course distance. Congratulations once again to GEG for making it all possible, and well done to every last one of the nearly 6,000 athletes. Whether by accident, sneaky planning or divine intervention, the generous US$20,000 first-place prize makes the 31st Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon one of the best paid ultramarathons in the world!