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Macau Int'l Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Macau Int'l Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 1.7
Number of comments: 11 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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J. M. from Hong Kong
(1/4/2016)
"Nice experience" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Macau Int'l Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Macau Marathon is definitely worth considering if you are in this neck of the woods. It's a nice small race (relative to marathons in Asia) and very well organised. the weather is usually pretty good and you get a nice towel if you finish. The course is a bit hilly and rather repetitive, but there are a few interesting sights along the way. I was looking forward to the new course and not having to go across the San Van Bridge 4 times. However in reality the new course is harder because there is a long tunnel with a steep decent and ascent that you need to run through 4 times. So that's six significant hills. This is not a big deal if you are prepared for it (I wasn't). The last tunnel crossing comes in around mile 25 which is just brutal. My favorite thing about this race is that they reward the top 8 or 9 finishers in each age group with a podium spot and a trophy. If you check the results from previous years you might be surprised to find that you have a shot at the podium! In my case that is about as close as I'll ever get to an elite experience. Zero fan support, but I don't care about that so much. I'd probably do it again although I wish they could improve the course. | |
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F. M. from Hong Kong
(12/13/2014)
"2014 Macau Marathon" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first time running the Macau marathon. It started very early at 5am, so an early night is a must as is (obviously) an early rise. Picking up the kit on the Saturday evening was straight forward and there was no one else there (at 9pm). The course itself was a bit boring as you covered the same course twice. It was basically flat, but with hills on the bridge. Hardly any spectators at all, but those who were out were supportive. I found the race quite difficult, probably because i ran too quickly, too early, but repeating the course and a lack of atmosphere didn't help much. Overall, it was well organised, but think once was enough for me. | |
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L. N. from United States
(12/15/2013)
"Great experience, exceeded my expectations" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After deciding that I wanted to take a trip to China in 2013, I started looking for a marathon that would work with my schedule, which is how I came across the Macau Marathon. The most frustrating thing about the whole experience was that they didn't update the official website until mid-August 2013 and I couldn't even register until September. This was odd to me compared to the US where often you're encouraged to sign up for next year before even running this year's race. The registration fee was a steal at only $40 USD. I did packet pickup on Friday night around 9:30pm and breezed in and out quickly, although I heard there were long lines earlier in the day. All of the signage and instructions had both Chinese and English so it was fairly easy to figure things out. I dont read Chinese, although I do speak a bit of Cantonese which helped throughout the weekend, but I think even someone who doesn't speak Cantonese could manage to do this race. Along with my race bib with timing chip attached, I got a plastic marathon-branded wristwatch, a magazine-sized booklet with race instructions/details, and a reusable drawstring bag to be used for checking stuff before the race. The race started dark and early at 5am Sunday morning. I left my hotel later than I should have but it was a quick walk over. First stop was to check my bag, which was in the same location as the packet pickup. Then I got in line to use the stadium bathroom. I think there would have been no line for the port-a-potties outside, but I preferred to wait for a real bathoom. There was a big crowd outside the baggage check area and traffic could have been better handled here. I fought my way through the crowd and over to the track for the start of the race. Details are a bit fuzzy here. There was a cap of 1000 on the marathon, but it sure didn't look like 1000 people to me at the start. Results indicate there were just under 700 finishers. There was little fanfare and I don't think I remember really hearing a countdown or starting gun. I think I just started moving when everyone else did. With such an early start, the first half of the race was run in the dark, but streetlights provided adequate lighting. It was a bit crowded at the beginning and I seem to remember an odd bottleneck in the road at one point, but then people spread out fairly quickly. The course was closed to traffic and the roads were well-kept and easy to run on with little camber. The course was well marked with cones and volunteers stationed to point us in the right direction. It wasnt a terribly scenic course, but I enjoyed the brief glimpses of the casinos and later seeing Macau Tower. The best part was running over the bridge, although at this point we were sharing the course with the half marathoners so I had to devote some of my attention to dodging them. The course is basically almost entirely flat except for crossing the bridge and back. There was one other little dip just past the bridge but it was easily conquered. If you live anywhere with hills, the bridge shouldn't be a challenge at all. I welcomed the chance to work some different leg muscles and being able to fly a bit on the downhills. I believe in the past, the course has been the same loop twice, but this year it was changed a bit so the first 'loop' was about 2/3 of the race and included the bridge, while the second 'loop' covered some of the same roads as earlier but without the bridge section. There were barely any spectators aside from the aid station volunteers. This didn't bother me, but if you rely on crowd support to keep you motivated, you're not going to find it here until you're almost at the finish. The aid stations were adequate, but slightly too far apart for me since in the US I usually look for races with water at least every two miles. Here they alternate water/sports drink with wet sponges every 2.5k. That meant I only got water once every three miles, but the cups were good-sized and there seemed to be plenty of water and volunteers. There was no fuel/food at the stations. I appreciated the sponges in the second half of the race once it got sunny. The race finished back on the track. After crossing the finish line, I was handed a medal, a nice plush towel and a too large singlet. I really liked getting the comfy towel rather than a flimsy space blanket. There was water, bananas and candy that looked somewhat like a KitKat. I think there was also sports drink and possibly other food options but I wasn't really paying attention. After leaving the finisher's area it was easy to get my bag. I wandered around a bit and saw signs for showers and a physical therapy room. I thought about going in but it looked like a bunch of students so I wasn't sure about their expertise or my ability to communicate with them. I ended up placing 2nd in my category and stuck around for the awards ceremony. It was my first (and probably only time) brushing elbows with the elites although I was too timid to actually strike up a conversation. The fanfare of the ceremony was a nice bonus and I was awarded a shiny trophy. I really enjoyed the marathon overall and thought it was well-organized and a good course. I'd recommend it as long as you're not looking for crowd support or being able to strike up conversations with other runners. I'd run it again, if not for being on the other side of the world. | |
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D. C. from Southern China
(12/20/2011)
"Did it once, once is enough" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Put this race on my schedule mainly because it it was easy to get to. I was really looking forward to some sort of a spectacle given the gambling city's reputations but instead, it turned out to be one of the most humdrum races I've ever experienced. No spectators in sight - unless you count the three shuffling showgirls in front of the Galaxy Macau - which I really needed during the monotonous 2 loop course. Once the half-marathoners peeled off, the course got really quiet. In a way, the quietness was probably a highlight, at least, at the beginning. Predawn, casino lights ablaze, garbage bags rustling as the runners... it was quite a mystical moment. The most excitement, albeit undesirable, might have been during baggage check, which was a complete fiasco. No lines, just a brutish scramble to get to the front of the mass. The amenities were few. Water and sports drinks sitting on tables (rather than handed to you), paper cups littered around the stations unattended, no gels or bars. The post-race refreshments consisted of some meager water, bananas and chocolate bars. Although I'll use the race bag and display the swanky finisher's medal, I'm not sure I would want to be spotted in the public with the souvenir tech singlet. Ran it once and once is enough. | |
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B. A. from China
(12/26/2010)
"OK for a small marathon" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 As others noted, the course is flat, aside from the huge suspension bridge that marathon runners go over 4 times. Zero crowd support due to 6 a.m. start and doing much of the run in Coloane, which is all composed of casino construction sites. The start is crazy, with everyone packed into a small running track and unseeded by time; the 5K, half, and full runners were all mixed up, with lots of pushing as it gets sorted out. I hate to think what would happen if someone fell. Also, my Garmin showed the 2010 marathon as about 4/10 of a mile long, though I have nothing else to confirm that. | |
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R. I. from Eugene OR
(9/1/2010)
"Two loops around casino-land" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this in 2009 (my 8th marathon). The weather was a bit humid and the air was pretty thick, but it was a well-run affair. The course is two loops of a lollipop shape. The stick part of the lollipop shape passes through some casino construction areas that are not terribly interesting, but might get better as the area continues to develop. Spectators are few and far between here. After crossing over the pretty-steep Taipa Bridge (cross it 4 times total!), you complete the round lollipop portion. More spectators are here, encouraging you with, "Jia You!" (It sounds like "geeyah yoh" and means, "Go!!" or more literally, "Add oil!" This section also has more interesting buildings, and you run right by a casino entrance (with the music blaring, which was cool). Like the previous poster, I would have appreciated some sports drink, and the water/sponge stations were not all that frequent. At the finish, we got the coolest, plushest commemorative towel ever, and volunteers gave me a huge handful of Kit Kats. We also got a singlet and a shoulder bag. | |
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Kelly Lim from Singapore
(12/12/2008)
"Great Course But Aid Stations Need Improvement" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The 27th Macau International Marathon was my 35th marathon/ultra-marathon since I started marathoning in 2001. Comparing with the rest of the marathons I have run, I must say that it has a great course. It's entirely flat and mostly scenic, especially when you run along the bridge. However, the part running up the slopes could be a killer for some. I had to walk the last part between 37K to 38K because the uphill part of the bridge going back to Taipa Island was simply too long. However, overall, you can't fault the organizer for planning such a great course. As for the aid station, runners interested to do the marathon should be aware that they only provide plain water and sponges. There was no sports drink, gel, fruits, etc. Be prepared to bring your own hydration if you need something more than just plain water. I carried a 500ml sports drink and rationed it and was able to last me until 40K. :) Distance markers were very accurate, displayed at every kilometer. I was able to check my pace and able to strategize to reach the 30K before the cut-off time of 3 hours 30 minutes. Yes, there is an intermediate cut-off. And it is achievable if you run a constant pace. There were very very few spectators along the course, especially when you were running on the bridge as it was only accessible to vehicles. But I was fortunate enough to meet a kind spectator who gave out drinks (sports drink in a small cup) and chocolates! We cannot expect all marathons to have great atmosphere or thousands or spectators along to course to encourage the runners and Macau happened to be one of such marathons. At the end of the race, runners have bananas, drinks, chocolates to fuel themselves. Those who met the cut-off time of 5 hours (for full) and 2 1/2 hours (for half) will get a medal and big towel. Only the full marathoners get a finisher tee. Note: there is no event tee for the race. Nevertheless, I would strongly recommend this marathon to anyone who have not visited Macau before. Just remember to train for the bridge (hills) and have your own hydration plan. The number of participants is small (about 1200 for half and 600 for full) so you won't have to jostle with fellow runners, etc. | |
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D. H. from Hong Kong
(12/7/2008)
"Great Fun" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My comments are based on the half marathon (the marathon is the same, but two loops of the course). Was very surprised at this event - it's not a huge marathon but it's well supported and very well organized. Start and finish at Macau Stadium, plenty of hotels within walking distance, and good facilities (seats, bathrooms, etc.) at the start. Well marked course, with KM markers every single KM... very rare. Very flat except for the bridge and tunnels. Number pickup was brilliantly organized, with lots of volunteers on the course, and great medal at the end. Only thing I didn't like was lack of energy drink - I didn't see any, although no problems with water. | |
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D. S. from Macau
(12/28/2007)
"Might not be NYC, but great course for Macau" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Macau Int'l Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Macau is only 11 miles tip to tip, as the crow flies, including the bridges, and there are 480,000 people squeezed onto these two tiny islands, so fitting a marathon course in is not an easy thing. This being only my 7th marathon, I'm a far cry from being a professional, but I've been training in Macau for almost a year, and I was very happy with the Macau Marathon course. They kept it as flat and as scenic as possible, and had great KM markings and ample supplies (up until the last 3 water stops, but that's why we should always carry our own right? :)). A lot of fun with at least 1 dedicated road lane at all times, very well staffed and organized, quite a small marathon but a real blast. Yes, the course repeats itself, but it goes over the ocean four times, past MGM Grand, the Macau Tower, through the Porte Cachere (the valet thingy) of Galaxy (how cool is that!), past Crown, Grand Waldo, City of Dreams, Shangri La, Venetian, and Macau Studio City, plus the course goes right up and over the airport drive-up (think 5 feet from the terminal doors; how many marathons can boast that!?!). Certainly no American TSA here! Come on, that's a course that you could only find in Macau! Little to no fans to speak of except for near the stadium, and being on the Jumbo-tron as you do your last 350 meters around the stadium is a thrill for families in attendance. With a cheap entry fee you get TONS of goodies (shoulder bag, full-sized beach tower, - very nice - technical jersey, posters, and a huge medal (larger than Disney I think!). You can't beat the entry fee of $38 US. I'd do it again! | |
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V. C. from Hong Kong
(12/6/2006)
"A Low-Population-City-Feel Marathon" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Macau Int'l Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is my 2nd marathon in Macau. Each year, the course is different but must go through Macau and Taipa and finish in Taipa. This year, the course has changed to a 2-loop race (run the half-marathon course twice). It is through Macau and Taipa via the new West bridge. The bridge is windy. Scenery is OK but not very special. Pretty small-city feel. There are not many people in the city. No food/sports drink is provided until the end of the race. You'll run with a lot of cars passing close to you in most of the city sections. It's not as dangerous as I think because many police and staff (more than 100 people throughout the course I think) are responsible for controlling the transport. Thanks for their dedication to ensure the safety of runners. But car exhaust really makes it hard to breathe. Maybe the race is small (only around 400 full-marathon and 1000 half marathon runners). I guess this is the main reason the roads cannot be completely closed for runners. There are occasional fans throughout the course to cheer you up. The last 1 KM near the Sports Stadium is filled with a lot of people, including spectators/fans/families/friends/officials to support you. I feel great when running into the stadium for the final 300 M. The stadium is beautiful. Overall, though the organization can be much better, I see the organizer, sponsor and offical staff have already put their best efforts for the race. It's a nice and enjoyable marathon. |
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