Organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government and the General Association of Athletics of Macau, the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon was successfully held on December 5. As the title sponsor of the Macao International Marathon for 18 consecutive years, GEG has been fully supportive of this annual sports event with aims of facilitating Macau’s sports tourism and transforming Macau into a “World Center for Tourism and Leisure”. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Marathon, GEG introduced a series of new activities this year, including the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon Carnival, the GEG Macau Cup, the Most Creative Costume Award, and the sponsoring of prizes towards the “Fab 40” Marathon Photo Sharing and Lucky Draw.
As in previous years, the 12,000 quota for this year’s event was quickly snapped up. On the race day, the race was kicked off with the sounding of air horns by Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government; Mr. Lam Hin Fu, President of the General Association of Athletics of Macau; Mr. Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG; and Mr. Philip Cheng, Director of GEG. Starting at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, runners traversed through Macau’s renowned scenic sites and landmarks, including the Galaxy Macau. Among the runners, GEG had the largest number of employees competing in the Mini Marathon and received the related award for the 17th consecutive year. Additionally, GEG team members, Shanti Devi Adhikara and Bindo Kadel Khatri, respectively won the first place in the Female Category C and the third place in the Male Category C of the Mini Marathon.
GEG Mac au Cup
To encourage local runners to achieve personal breakthrough and enable further development of sports in Macau, GEG created the GEG Macau Cup this year. Local male and female runners placing first in the Marathon and Half Marathon race categories were each awarded gifts worth MOP25,000. Ms. Wu Yangyang, winner of the award in the Macau female athletes category of the Marathon race, said, “This is the second time I took part in the Marathon race. I am glad that GEG has set up the GEG Macau Cup to encourage local runners to challenge themselves.”
Spicing Up the Marathon Vibe
To lift the Marathon spirit, GEG sponsored the highly favored Most Creative Costume Award. Moreover, a 40th Anniversary Themed Award was also launched to highlight the milestone of the Marathon, and to encourage participants to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the event. Additionally, GEG also gave away a variety of exciting prizes for the “Fab 40” Marathon Photo Sharing and Lucky Draw organized by the organizers. The lucky draw was held on December 10 at Broadway Food Street of Broadway Macau where Ms. Lei Si Leng, Head of the Macau Grand Prix and Major Sporting Events Department of the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government; Mr. Ng Lok Tong, Chairman of Supervisory Committee of the General Association of Athletics of Macau; and Mr. Buddy Lam, Senior Vice President of Public Relations of GEG, attended and drew the winners of the prizes, including the recipient of the grand prize, which is a KIA Sonet 1.5 A/T vehicle.
2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon Carnival
Furthermore, GEG hosted the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon Carnival at Broadway Food Street prior to the Marathon. The six-day Carnival incorporated captivating elements such as sports, delicacies, entertainment and handicrafts. In addition, the Carnival included the setup of ten charitable booths where different social services organizations were invited to raise public awareness for those in need. The series of exciting activities attracted thousands of residents and tourists to experience the excitement of the Marathon.
GEG Co-launched Marathon “Run with a Partner” with MSO
Meanwhile, GEG also proactively promoted sports exchanges in the community and enhanced the accessibility of sports to all people. During the marathon, runners of Macau Special Olympics (MSO) participated in the Half Marathon with the assistance and company of members of the GEG Runner’s Club. Since May this year, GEG co-launched a Marathon “Run with a Partner” Training Program with MSO, during which MSO members and members from the GEG Runner’s Club were paired up for weekly marathon trainings. The program enabled the two sides to grow together and build long-lasting friendships. Mr. Kenji Cheong, member of the GEG Runner’s Club said after the race that, “Although we encountered some difficulties during the race, we saw the motivation and persistence of the MSO members. The program was meaningful in the sense that it was helpful to the MSO runners who participated in the Marathon and provided us with the opportunity to take part in their growth and achievement.”
