Macao Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon 2012 will start on 2 December from the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium. 6,000 athletes from 57 countries will start at 5:00 am (Marathon and Half Marathon) and at 5:15 am (Mini Marathon). The Organizing Committee held a press conference yesterday to introduce the race and arrange invited athletes to meet the media.

In the speech of Mr. Vong Iao Lek, President of Macao Sport Development Board, he said that this year is the 31^st Anniversary, which attracts athletes from many countries and regions. Many male athletes with the best time within 2 hours and 10 minutes and female athletes within 2 hours and 30 minutes are invited to compete with runners around the world on the race course. He also mentioned that online registration has been receiving increasing popularity, and with the introduction of the well-accepted online payment platform, it helps to attract more athletes from mainland China to join the event. There are altogether 6,000 athletes from 57 countries and regions, and the registration has reached its quota limit one month earlier than last year.

Mr. Ma Iao Hang, Chairman of Association of Athletics of Macao, said that in order to support this year’s Marathon, the Association of Athletics of Macao organized 600 judges and staff to help in the measuring race course, technical training and all other preparation work.

In the speech of Mr. Philip Cheng, Director of Galaxy Entertainment Group, he said that all athletes have gone through hard training before they can obtain good result. As an appreciation to their hard work, the Group is going to offer special prize to the best male and female invited athlete and the best local male and female athlete.

Among the male invited athletes, many are from Africa, Portugal, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Guizhou, Fujian and KUOK Chi Wai of Macao. Female athletes include champion of last year, the race record holder - RETA, Tsega Gelaw, and many others from Africa, China and HOI Long of Macao. Many athletes from the Portuguese-speaking countries are also invited. MUTAI, David the champion of the half Marathon of last year and NATHALIE, Marie Darbon the champion of last year also enrolled and are coming to Macao for the race.

In order to encourage for new record, prize money of MOP$30,000 and MOP$10,000 will be presented to Macao athletes who break the Macao record of Marathon and Half Marathon respectively. All people are welcome to give applause to all athletes along the racing course.

On 2^nd Dec (Sunday) the Marathon and the Half Marathon will start at 5:00 am and the Mini Marathon will start at 5:15 am from the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium. The race course covers COTAI and Macao peninsula. Those who have registered must collect their number bid, timing chip and relevant information from the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium between 30^th Nov and 1^st Dec from 10:00 am till 10:00 pm.

Other guest who attended the press conference included President of the Association of Athletics of Macao Lam Hin Fu, Vice Presidents of Macao Sport Development Board José Tavares and Pun Weng Kun.