The 2022 Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon will be held on Sunday December 4, Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun announced during a press conference at Galaxy Macau’s Banyan Tree Hotel in Cotai yesterday, adding that an all-online registration system will be open for sign-up on October 8 for the marathon and half-marathon categories, and on October 9 for the mini-marathon.
The event is jointly organised by the Sports Bureau and the General Association of Athletics of Macau with Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) as the title sponsor.
Pun said in the speech that in order to give “full play” to the “synergistic” effect of sports events in Macau and to promote the development of the sports and tourism sector, this year’s event will cooperate with the mainland’s comprehensive tourism service platform “Fliggy” and GEG to offer discounted hotel packages to the participants who register for the race, so as to attract more tourists from the mainland to take part in the event. He added that the event organisers would continue to cooperate with Macau’s cultural and creative sectors to launch marathon-themed cultural and creative products, while a number of peripheral activities would also be held to enhance the diversity of the event and to demonstrate the social benefits of major sporting events.
According to a statement handed out during the press conference, in line with the city’s e-governance development promoted by the government, members of the public may register on the event’s official website: www.macaomarathon.com, or via the “Macao Marathon” mobile app. The statement underlined that all those interested must have a personal online registration account for the event to sign up for the race. Those without an online account may create one via the official website, the statement added.
Upon opening an account for the race, the statement pointed out, participants may log into the system for online registration during the sign-up period, adding that those with an existing account should prepare their personal information, such as an electronic copy of their identification document and their General Association of Athletics of Macau’s membership card for the current year (if applicable), to sign up for the race.
The statement noted that Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay, MPay, BOC Mobile Banking, UnionPay Online Pay, WeChat Pay China and Alipay China are accepted for registration fee payments.
In accordance with the Health Bureau’s (SSM) COVID pandemic control and prevention measures, the statement underlined, all participants will be required to have completed two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the race. The statement added that participants will also be required to present proof of a valid negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (NAT) result before taking part in the race.
According to the statement, a total of 12,000 spots are available for this year’s event, comprising 1,400 for marathon, 4,800 for the half-marathon and 5,800 for the mini-marathon.
Meanwhile, Pun told reporters after the press conference that the organisation of the “Macau International Marathon” was proceeding in “an orderly manner”. As for the participants, he said, apart from well-known local runners, the bureau would also consider inviting renowned runners from the mainland to compete in this year’s event.
When reporters asked about the procedure for Hong Kong runners to compete in the event, Pun said that Macau always welcomes runners from all over the world, whether they are from Hong Kong or other regions and countries, noting that anyone who complies with the Health Bureau’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures can compete in the event.
Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) Group Advisor Jorge Neto Valente (left, front) and Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun pose with a symbolic cheque during yesterday’s press conference about the December 4 GEG Macau International Marathon, at Galaxy Macau’s Banyan Tree Hotel in Cotai, as Galaxy, Sports Bureau (ID) and General Association of Athletics of Macau representatives look on. – Photo: Yuki Lei
