          |
|
SPORTS
Spectator sports are also quite popular in Macau. Annual large scale events in 2003 assured a full schedule for both locals and foreign guests. The 7th Wushu World Championship has been held during the first week of November, 2003 in the newly constructed IPM pavilion. Other infrastructure expansion has taken place to prepare for the hosting of the 4th East Asian Games to be held in Macau for the first time ever in 2005. It is a very exciting time in the history of sports in Macau.
Macau Open Golf Tournament
 |
 |
|
|
||
| Macau Open Golf Tournament and Macau International Marathon and Half Marathon | ||
 |
 |
World class golfers converge in Macau to participate in the Macau Open Golf
Tournament, as the temperatures cool a bit in October and November. They
face the regions
top challengers, those who have been honing their skills in anticipation
of a big win. All come to the Macau Golf and Country Club to test their
abilities
on a sloping, sometimes windy course. It can be distracting d ue to the
beauty of the South China Sea and the spectacular view of all the attractive
outlying
islands extending to the horizon.
Watching the Macau Open not only provides a glimpse at some of the world's
finest players, but also entitles guests to take in the fantastic surrounding
scenery.
The island of Coloane is mostly government protected land, with many nature
trails and high elevations for looking around the area. Just down the slopes
from the
Macau Golf and Country Club is Hac Sa (black sand) beach, a popular stopping
off point for a calming stroll along the shore with the gentle sea breeze
whispering in your ears.
Marathon and Half Marathon
Anyone seeking physical exertion over an extended period of time while perusing
city-scape, lush vegetation and island sea views should participate in
the Macau International Marathon held each December. Hundreds of Macau and
Hong Kong running
enthusiasts are joined by long distance athletes from around the world.
They follow a course that circles the Macau peninsula, crosses the back of
a dragon
bridge to the island of Taipa and continues on around the scenic island
of Coloane.
Along the route several ideal locations await those supporters and on-lookers
who wish to encourage race participants. Runners are escorted through the
city by police, ensuring that the busy pace of this active city does not
interfere
with the runners' progress.
Those who want to participate, but not in such a long race, can join in
the Macau International Half Marathon. The course is just as scenic and
challenging
as
the full marathon, but not as daunting in distance. Despite the inherent
competition, the levels of enthusiasm and comraderie expressed by all these
runners is a joy
to witness.
Macau Grand Prix
The 50th Macau Grand Prix was scheduled for November 8 to 16 this year and it was a carnival held in celebration of the event's Golden Jubilee. Four Historic and Classic Car races have been held on November 8 and 9, namely the Macau & Hong Kong Classic Car, sia Pacific Classic Car, and Historic Car events. The Hotel Fortuna Trophy and the Tourism Office Cup races were scheduled for the same weekend. Other races, such as the Formula 3 Grand Prix, Guia Race, the Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Asian Formula Renault Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and the new Macau and Hong Kong Novice Interport Race were held from November 13 to 16. [learn more]
