Sands China Holds 2026 Macao International 10K
Extending Sands Cares’ spirit of service and strengthening community vibrancy through sports
（Macao, March 11, 2026） – The 2026 Sands China Macao International 10K – organised by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Sands China Ltd., and the General Association of Athletics of Macau – is taking place this Sunday (March 15). In the lead-up to the event, Sands China held a series of community initiatives to strengthen community cohesion. With the participation of 10,000 runners, including athletes from NGOs in the Greater Bay Area, this highly anticipated sporting event embodies and extends the Sands Cares spirit of community service to more regions – helping build a diverse and inclusive community.
Since the race’s debut in 2021, Sands China has actively brought together diverse stakeholders, including team members, SMEs on Rua das Estalagens, community volunteers, Sands Cares Ambassadors, and members of local NGOs. Drawing 10,000 participants each year, the company has leveraged the popularity of this annual sporting mega event to foster inclusion, simulate the neighbourhood economy, and spread care throughout the community.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China has always been deeply committed to our local community. With this in mind, we have consistently grown the 10K Run into an impactful way to connect and serve the community through our Sands Cares spirit. This year, we extended our outreach to include members of NGOs from Greater Bay Area cities, inviting them to participate in the race for the first time. Alongside launching inclusive initiatives, we are encouraging 10,000 runners to connect with local neighbourhoods by supporting SME businesses – bringing greater care to the city beyond the competition.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to NGOs across the regions, local SMEs, Sands China team members, and Sands Cares Ambassadors for their strong support. Together, we have amplified the impact of this sporting event, from promoting community inclusion to supporting SMEs on Rua das Estalagens – demonstrating the powerful unifying role of sports. Looking ahead, we will remain steadfast in leveraging the 10K Run as a meaningful bridge to advance Macao’s diversified development and spread care throughout the community.”
In this year’s event, Sands China has further expanded the power of inclusion through a series of initiatives. These include:
Sands 10K FUNkiest Costume Lab
On March 7, Sands China organised the Sands 10K FUNkiest Costume Lab, bringing together Sands Cares Ambassadors and members of the Macau Special Olympics (MSO) to design 10 costumes for MSO members participating in the Fun Run. Guided by a local fashion designer, participants incorporated elements of Macao’s iconic architecture and Chinese artistic symbols into their pieces. Through their dazzling costumes, they brought the theme of “East Meets West Run” to life – reflecting the city’s diversity and spirit of cultural inclusion.
Joyful Run with Sands Cares
With the support of the “Sands Cares x SEN Holistic Development Support Programme,” the “Joyful Run with Sands Cares” event kicked off March 7. Accompanied by Sands Cares Ambassadors, a total of 50 young runners from the programme’s running club under the Bosco Youth Service Network participated in a pre-race training session along The Venetian Macao’s outdoor lagoon. Iao Kuan U, Macao long-distance champion and master coach, was invited to give professional guidance and insights for long-distance running, helping runners prepare for the upcoming race.
Launched in 2026 and funded by Sands China, the new “Sands Cares x SEN Holistic Development Support Programme” under the Bosco Youth Service Network aims to provide comprehensive support for local youth with special educational needs (SEN). The programme is built on three core pillars: pre-employment training, workplace support, and sports training. As the core of the sports training pillar, the programme’s running club enables youth with SEN to engage in regular running training, fostering their personal development – both physically and mentally – alongside enhancing occupational skills.
First-time participation of Greater Bay Area NGOs expands spectrum of inclusion
To further expand the event’s community connections, Sands China has invited NGOs from the Greater Bay Area, including the Guangzhou Xinyou Mental Disorder Service Association and Special Olympics Hong Kong to participate alongside local community partners such as the Bosco Youth Service Network, Macau Special Olympics, and Holy House of Mercy’s Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind – promoting mutual care and inclusion in the community.
A total of 550 participants – including Sands China management, team members, Sands Cares Ambassadors, and members of NGOs from the three regions – will join 10,000 runners in the 10K race and Fun Run. Their participation helps establish a cross-regional, cross-sector sporting event that promotes the inclusive concept that “sports know no boundaries.”
Stimulating the neighbourhood economy through SME support
Sands China aims to utilise the synergistic effects of sporting mega events as momentum for advancing cultural, tourism, and sports integration. Following the success of last year’s 10K, the company will offer exclusive promotions to all participating runners, bringing the excitement of sports toward businesses in the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens.
Sands China has consistently introduced a series of events encompassing culture, tourism, and sports to Macao. The company has organised or sponsored multiple large-scale sporting events, such as The NBA China Games and “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week,” demonstrating the company’s commitment to promoting the development of sports and the integration of sports tourism. Sands China often utilises the opportunities presented by these competitions to host auxiliary events like youth clinics and community-focused events, enabling international sports elites to engage further with the community and maximise the events’ positive impact on the city.
