Rui Pastorin
Sports Bureau (ID) Acting Director Lam Lin Kio told reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference for the up-coming Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon that she did not think that the mandatory vaccination regulation this year would affect the signup rate.
The press conference was held at the Banyan Tree hotel in Cotai yesterday.
Lam told reporters that as the marathon “has always been a popular event” and the spots tend to fill up “quickly”, she did not think that requiring all participants to be vaccinated prior to the competition would affect the “enthusiasm” of the public.
When asked by reporters whether participants in the Macau Grand Prix (MGP) or other sporting events would be required to have a vaccination, Lam said her bureau would continue to pay close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic development in Macau and keep in touch with the Health Bureau (SSM).
12,000 spots
Lam noted that there are 12,000 spots available for sign-ups, comprising 1,400 for the marathon, 4,800 for the half-marathon and 5,800 for the mini-marathon, adding that this year the bureau has extended special invites to a few mainland marathoners to take part in the competition.
According to a Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) statement provided during the press conference, marking its 40th edition, the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon will be held on December 5. The statement noted that the event will be sponsored by GEG for the 18th consecutive year and that it is jointly organised by the Sports Bureau and the General Association of Athletics of Macau. The statement underlined that in compliance with the government’s pandemic prevention measures, all participants must be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before the race, stressing that participants should also present a valid negative nucleic acid test (NAT) result inclusive of the race day.
The statement urged participants to comply with the Law on the Prevention, Control and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and follow the government’s anti-pandemic measures and quarantine requirements upon entry into Macau.
The statement said that the starting point will be at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa, with the marathon and half-marathon races beginning at 6 a.m. and the mini-marathon race at 6:15 a.m. Routes of the marathon and half-marathon will include the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, A-Ma Temple and Sai Van Bridge.
Celebrating event’s milestone with online & interactive activities
The statement highlighted that in order to celebrate the marathon’s 40th anniversary, online and interactive activities will be held. Lam announced that the activities include the GEG Cup, where trophies and prizes will be awarded to local male and female runners who achieve good results in the marathon and half-marathon races, and a six-day marathon carnival. Lam also pointed out that the popular ‘Most Creative Costume award’ and an online activity series entitled “Fab 40” will be sponsored by GEG. Moreover, the Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau will issue a set of commemorative stamps.
Easy & convenient all-online registration
According to the statement, an all-online registration system will be implemented. Registration for the marathon and half-marathon will start on Saturday at 9 a.m. while registration for the mini-marathon will commence on Sunday at 9 a.m. Registration can be done online through the event’s official website (www.macaomarathon.com) or by scanning the event’s QR code.
The statement added that participants must have a personal online registration account with the Macau International Marathon, which can be created through the official website. Participants may then register online during the registration period.
The statement also said that participants with an existing account should prepare their personal information, an electronic copy of their identification documents and, if applicable, their General Association of Athletics of Macau membership card for the current year.
The statement highlighted that registration fee payments can be made using Visa Card, MasterCard, UnionPay cards, MPay, BOC Mobile Banking, UnionPay Online pay, Wechat Pay China and Alipay China. Registrants paying with WeChat Pay China must access the registration system via WeChat app.
In addition, the statement noted that Active Group Trophies will be awarded to the school, sports association, government-registered organisations and public and private entities with the most participants completing in the mini-marathon. Interested parties must download a separate registration form from the official website and complete it with the names and ID numbers of the registered participants. The form must be submitted to the Sports Bureau in person or via email at macaomarathon@sport.gov.mo by October 22.
Preparation for race day
The statement noted that between November 29 and December 4, registrants may collect the number bib, timing chip, identification wristband and information documents at M/F of Broadway Macau upon showing their registration receipts, ID documents and proof of vaccination.
Details and regulations of the event can be found on www.macaomarathon.com, the ‘Macao Major Sporting Events’ Facebook page, or the ‘Macao Major Sporting Events’ WeChat official account.
Sports Bureau (ID) Acting Director Lam Lin Kio talks to reporters yesterday on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference about the upcoming Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon, at Galaxy Macau’s Banyan Tree hotel. Photo courtesy of TDM
Photos of medals for the marathon and other marathon materials are displayed during yesterday’s press conference about the Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon on December 5. Photo: Rui Pastorin
