Athletes from China win city’s int’l marathon

Dong Guojian

Hordes of the city’s enthusiastic runners came together for the 2020 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon yesterday on December 6.
Chinese runners Dong Guojian and Zhang Deshun were the champions of the men’s and the women’s divisions of the marathon respectively.
Meanwhile, Bian Qi and Wong San San were crowned as the top runners for the men’s and the women’s divisions of the half-marathon respectively.
This year’s Macao International Marathon, which was its 39th edition, attracted a total of 12,000 participants.
To minimize the risk of Covid-19 infection, all participants were required to take a nucleic acid test from November 30 to December 4.
The 42.195 km marathon and the half-marathon kicked off at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium at 6 a.m. yesterday.
Earlier in November, Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong disclosed at a Legislative Assembly plenary meeting that the SAR government will push sports tourism next year.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng also disclosed in November that talks between the government and the six gaming operators to run 12 sports events in 2021, one event per month, have been underway.
The 2020 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, a showpiece running event in the neighboring city of Hong Kong, was canceled in January this year due to Covid-19. The organizer announced days earlier that the event, which was originally scheduled for January next year, was further postponed to October in 2021. Staff Reporter