Race Report : Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon 2014

I had been looking out for a race overseas held during the year-end for an excuse to take a short holiday break.

The Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon fit nicely into the bill. This year would be their 33rd edition and with a long standing track record like that, i reckoned i couldn't go wrong by picking this overseas race to run a full marathon.

Knowing that this race sells out fast, I had eagerly watched out for it and from the moment it was announced at midnight somewhere in September, I was ready to click on the "Register" button.

The weeks leading up to the race were one of the hardest training weeks I ever put myself through. I trained so hard that I hardly had much time for anything else, or think of anything else.

Then came the actual packing for the race and holiday itself. Felt like tearing my hair out because of the countless times I packed and re-packed everything, worried that I wouldn't be prepared enough for running in cold weather.

When the day came for me to depart KL, I could not sleep much the previous night, such was the excitement and anxiety.

Leaving KL filled with excitement.

The flight got delayed for 2 hours due to technical problems but that didn't dampen my spirits at all.

I had planned to arrive earlier so I could fit in some sightseeing, eating and relaxing before the race.

The race kit collection was uneventful. Pretty organized I would say. In and out of the Macau Sports Stadium in 5 minutes! The no-frills race kit consisted of a duffel bag with a pre-inserted bib number label for easy bag deposit, the bib with timing chip attached, a special edition watch, a Distance Running magazine, race information booklet, a postcard calendar and that was it. A finisher vest would be distributed at the end of the race to all participants who completed within cutoff time.

Race Kit Items

Duffel bag with pre-inserted mini bib-number label for easy bag deposit

After collecting my race kit, I managed to squeeze in some sightseeing around Taipa and a few easy, short hikes in Coloane and Taipa.

View of Macau Peninsula Skyline from Little Taipa Hill after a short 2.3km hike

Fast forward to race day.
I slept well the night before and woke around 2am to prepare for the race which flags off at 5am, and promptly started shivering.

I am ready!

I noticed that somehow, there had been a significant drop in temperature overnight. So it was wise that I had planned to wear my long sleeved compression top and long pants with gloves in the beginning. I also wore a disposable raincoat to help protect me from the cold wind.

I left the hotel located a mere 700m from the start point i.e. Macau Stadium around 3:40am. Runners were mingling around and trying to find shelter away from the chilly, strong wind.

After depositing my drop bag, i joined the other runners at the stadium. The crowd was manageable and multinational. Saw many Japanese, Korean, European, HK, Macanese, African and of course Mainland Chinese runners inside the stadium. There was no pushing at the start line, which was great and females were few and far between.

Inside Macau Stadium before the start of the race

The flagoff was uneventful as well. I thought with a rich sponsor like Galaxy Macau, there would be a lot of pomp and grandeur. But no, nothing like that at all. If anything, the race was far less elaborate than some of the big races back home.

We were off at the sound of the gun. The cold wind had picked up speed too at the time and it really felt like running in an ice box. The race course was not entirely flat. There were some sudden steep climbs up a few bridges and we also had to run through a few tunnels which would take us in a loop from Taipa to the Macau Peninsula and back. Half marathoners would run one loop while Full marathoners were required to do two loops. The route also, incidentally passed by my hotel.

Running flats have always been my bugbear but running against strong, cold headwind from start to end of the race was something I hadn't bargained for.

It was a struggle right from the start. Fighting strong headwind with every step made my legs feel like I was wading thru mud. Such was the heaviness. The winds was so strong, I could feel my cheeks flapping and my hands and feet were already numb with cold, 3km into the race.

Trying to smile for the camera though my cheeks felt numb
(photo courtesy of Sportsoho)

Running on the bridges was worse. I am a lightweight girl and each mighty gust of the wind threatened to blow me off the bridge!

I struggled hard to maintain balance and expended a lot of energy battling the nasty wind while trying to maintain my pace. First 20km was done evenly with paces ranging between 4:45 to 5:15. But by then I had started to feel a little dizzy.

I tried to stay hydrated by sipping water from my hydration bag every km but it was difficult. One thing to note : it was too cold to sweat. I certainly didn't sweat much throughout the race and I was in long sleeves and pants. I just can't imagine how some local runners I observed, could run while shivering in skimpy shorts and sleeveless vests!! Urgghh! Not for me!

At the 26km mark, my tummy started to act up and I had to take a potty stop which cost me 5 minutes. This had happened before at the SCKL Marathon in October and again it happened. I need to seriously scrutinize my pre-race meals!

Continuing on after taking a dump, it was again a battle. Once the first loop was over, another struggle came into the picture, and that was the mental struggle. We had to run the same boring route again and battle the same strong, cold wind in repeat! This time with drizzle into the equation. Sharp, stinging cold rain drops on my eyes and body was really tormenting at this stage.

I just wanted the whole thing to be over as soon as possible. Breathing became labored and I could hear my heart beating loudly in my ears the entire way.

And my heartbeats were uneven... Akin to having palpitations. I felt faintish at several points along the way and I remember steeling myself NOT to black-out and relive the nightmare 4 years ago before I stopped joining full marathons.

My pace slowed down to a shuffle and I recall having a sinking feeling that I had to kiss my personal best timing good bye today. Some people had mentioned you would run faster and "PB" or do your ""Personal Best" in races with a cooler climate. I beg to differ.. Somehow, the cold had got the better of me.

Running towards the Finish Line in a dazed state

At long last, I saw the stadium ahead where the Finish Line lay within. The cheers of the Macau and HK runners at the final 300m encouraged me to pick up speed and give my all to run to the finish. I literally could feel my heart about to leap out of my mouth! I finished with an unofficial time of 3 hours and 57 min for a distance of 42.8km according to my GPS watch.

At the end of the race, I was given a big round shiny finisher medal, a huge beach towel which I promptly made into a makeshift blanket against the cold wind and my finisher vest.

Having come alone to the race, I quickly retrieved my drop bag, changed out of my damp clothes and hooved it back to my hotel. I even made it in time before the buffet breakfast ended.



I count this as one of my valuable race experiences. There are always the Up's and the Down's in racing and there is always something one can learn from it. But it won't stop me from running. Never!

On the whole, this race was well,organized. It's just the weather and the route combination that makes it challenging.

Oh, by the way, that lime-green finisher vest requires some heavy alteration before it can fit me. Because although it is an 'S' size, it makes me look like I am wearing a gurney sack now. Haha!

Right now, I will sit back and enjoy the rest of my holiday!