Ethiopian runners triumph as Macao Marathon sees international participation return post-pandemic

The 42nd Macao International Marathon drew 12,000 athletes, with 1,400 in the marathon, 4,800 in the half marathon, and 5,800 in the mini marathon. 

This edition of the marathon marked the return of international competitors after a pandemic-induced hiatus. While the marathon continued during the pandemic years, border closures prevented the participation of foreign athletes.

This year, Ethiopian runners Debele Fikadu Kebebe and Zinashwork Yenew Ambi clinched first place in the men’s and women’s marathon races respectively. Kebebe completed the course in 2 hours 14 minutes 5 seconds, closely followed by Kenyan Kiptoo Edwin Kibet. 

Ambi won the women’s race in 2 hours 33 minutes and 38 seconds, with Kenyan Rodah Jepkorir Tanui a mere second behind.

[See more: 12,000 take part in 2022 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon]

The best performers from Macao were Kun Wang and Tong Tong Chio, who ranked 14th and 15th in the men’s and women’s races respectively.

In the mini marathon, 65-year-old Portuguese runner Rosa Santos Mota, invited by the organising committee, secured first place with a time of 24 minutes and 16 seconds. Mota, is a highly decorated Portuguese marathon runner, recognised as the greatest female marathoner of all time and the first Portuguese woman to win an Olympic gold. 

Athletes from mainland China, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco and Russia, including He Jie, the men’s marathon winner at the Hangzhou Asian Games, were invited to this edition of the event. Participants also came from Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, such as Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Goa, India.

The 42nd Macao International Marathon was sponsored by Galaxy Entertainment Group and co-organised by Galaxy, the Sports Bureau, and the General Association of Athletics of Macau.