Macao International Marathon

The Macao International Marathon is a yearly road running event in Macau.

The Panda Running Club organised the first marathon in 1981, making it the first international marathon ever to take place in the region.

Macao International Marathon, 2024 Dates, Course Map, Times, Length

By 1987, the General Association of Athletics of Macau and the Sports Bureau took the helm and by 1990, it was part of the AIMS Racing Group. From 1998 onwards, the new race format included a short mini-marathon of around 6.5km, a half marathon (21km), and a full marathon (42km). The marathon occurs at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, though runners also traverse Taipa, Hengqin Islands, and Cotai. It’s open for professional athletes and amateur runners who would like to challenge themselves.

The Macao International Marathon usually takes place on the first Sunday of each December and attracts hundreds of international runners annually. Through the years, the marathon has become one of the top tourism draws to the country, and it has helped to strengthen relations with other countries. Everyone is welcome to register for the marathon, as the organisers have increased the racer quotas to 12,000 over the past few years.

The route takes runners through some of the country’s most historic destinations and heritage sites. The roads are generally flat, and it’s a relatively easy route, making it suitable for those just starting their running journey.

Marathon winners from previous years have hailed from all over the globe, including China, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Korea, Portugal, Italy, and many others. Race categories are divided into male and female, marathon and half-marathon. The mini marathon is also open to schools, sports associations, the public and private entities.

The Macao International Marathon is a bucket list race open to anyone wanting a fantastic time.