Female runners on level footing for the first time
For the first time, female runners at the annual Macau Marathon will get the same prize money as their male counterparts.
'We want to encourage more female athletes to participate,' said Alex Vong Iao-lek, acting director of the Macau Sport Institute.
The 24th Macau international marathon will be held on December 4. The annual half-marathon and mini-marathon will also be held at the same time as the 42.2km standard marathon.
In the past, female marathoners were awarded only half of the prize money as their male counterparts, diminishing the competition's appeal for quality women athletes.
'We've paid special attention this year to invite female runners from around the world to take part in the race,' said Lam Hin-fu, president of the Athletics Association of Macau.
Prize money is awarded to the top 15 male and 15 female athletes.
Together with other bonus prizes, this year's total prize money amounts to 856,800 patacas, an 18 per cent jump from last year's figure of 725,600 patacas.
Lam Hou-meng, an official from the Athletic Association of Macau, said last year's men's winner, Adam Dobrzynski from Poland, has already pledged to run again this December.
Registration for the marathon, which costs 20 patacas, starts today.
