The 10K Macau men’s champion, Ip Seng Tou, told reporters at the end of yesterday’s 2021 Sands China Macao International 10K at the Olympic Stadium in Taipa he hoped that the event organisers could include local elite runners in the “elite race start system”, adding that they should use previous race results as a benchmark for the elite runners so that they could enjoy a more sufficient warm-up time.

Ip said that yesterday’s race only offered “elite start” – which allows more competitive runners to start ahead of the main field – for mainland runners, yet he had to queue for 40 minutes before starting. He said that a number of local elite racers also voiced the same concern.

Ip also said he hoped that the Macau Athletics Association could hold more long-distance running events of various distances so that Macau athletes could have more opportunities to compete. He acknowledged that yesterday’s route was “indicated clearer than before”, and “a lot better than previous marathon events”.

Meanwhile, Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun said that his bureau initially planned to have at least one major event per month. However, he added, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only major sports events in the first half of the year would be yesterday’s 2021 Sands China Macao International 10K and the traditional dragon boat race in June.

The 2021 Sands China Macao International 10K started at Sai Van Lake Square yesterday morning. A statement by the bureau noted that around 9,000 athletes competed in the 5K Fun Run and 10k race.

The statement said that Pun along with Macau Athletics Federation President Ma Iao Hang and Sands China Ltd. President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai attended yesterday’s start ceremony at 7 a.m.

The statement noted that the men’s A and women’s A 10K races were won by mainland runners Wang Hongwei and Yin Xiaoyu respectively, while the fastest local male and female runners were Ip and Hoi Long respectively.

The 10K local men’s champion, Ip Seng Tou, talks to reporters at the end of yesterday’s 2021 Sands China Macao International 10K in the Olympic Stadium in Taipa. Photo: Chiang Nok I

10K female champion Yin Xiaoyu crosses the finish line. Photo: GCS

10K male champion Wang Hongwei crosses the finish line. Photo: GCS