Kenya’s Victor Kipchirchir broke the men’s local race record and Ethiopia’s Mastewal Birhanu Senay won the women’s race of the 2025 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon on Sunday.
According to a Sports Bureau (ID) statement on Sunday, the marathon was organised by the bureau in conjunction with the General Association of Athletics of Macau (AGAM) and, as in previous years, local integrated resort operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG).
The event marked the 44th edition of the race and attracted elite runners and long-distance enthusiasts across multiple categories. The marathon and half-marathon routes once again covered landmark sites including the Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, A-Ma Temple and Sai Van Bridge, the statement noted.
According to the statement, the start ceremony was officiated by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam, the bureau’s Acting President See Lei Si Leng, GEG Chairman Francis Lui Yiu Tung, AGAM President Chan Pou Sin, and GEG Corporate Affairs Director Buddy Lam Chi Seng.
In the women’s marathon, Ethiopian runners dominated, with Senay finishing first in 2:31:37, followed by Selam Fente Gebre and Kolole Mekashu Tefera, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Kipchirchir secured first place in the men’s marathon with a local record time of 2:09:27, ahead of Rwanda’s John Hakizimana and Ethiopia’s Barecha Tolosa Geleto, the statement added.
In the Macau athletes’ category, Fong Ieng Wai, Lam Weng Hang and Lo Sik Kin placed top three among men, while Wu Yangyang, Chio Tong Tong and Xu Zhonghuang led the local women’s standings, according to the bureau.
In addition, the statement highlighted that the event also featured the half-marathon, mini-marathon categories, the Active Group Trophy competition, and the popular “Most Creative Costume Award”, which drew strong participation.
Awards were presented by sport and government representatives, including members of the Sports Committee, Portugal’s 1988 Olympic medallist Rosa Mota, and representatives from supporting organisations, the statement said, adding that participants can check their race results at https://www.macaomarathon.com/ , with finishing certificates available at http://www.marathon-photos.com/ for download from December 26.
The bureau said in the statement that the marathon aims to continue to reinforce Macau’s major sporting events calendar and promote community sports participation.
This handout photo provided by the Sports Bureau (ID) on Sunday shows Mastewal Birhanu Senay, the women’s winner of the 2025 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa that day.
This handout photo provided by the Sports Bureau (ID) on Sunday shows Victor Kipchirchir (left), the men’s winner of the 2025 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon on the way to his victory that day. The statement released by the organisers did not identify the other runner shown in the photo.
