GVB signature event expecting increased participation

The Guam Visitors Bureau will once again host the Ko’ko’ Road Race, with the event scheduled for April 13 and April 14 at the Gov. Flores Memorial Park, also known as Ypao Beach Park.

According to Gerald S.A. Perez, vice president of GVB, 250 off-island participants have registered for the race. “We’re excited because it continues to grow,” he said.

As of April 10, 276 children were registered for the Kids Fun Run, 367 adults registered for the 10K and 175 for the Half Marathon for a total of 818. The race directors expect that number to increase by about 20%.

The 2023 race had 587 runners.

The Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run will be held on April 13, featuring a 0.6K, 1.6K and 3.3K Fun-Run for children ages 4-12 years old. All runners receive a t-shirt and will have a chance to win prizes. The race course begins and ends in the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park and will feature a beach shore run for the older age division.

On April 14, the Guam 2024 Ko'ko' Road Race features a 10K (6.21 Miles) out-and-back course that starts in Tumon in front of the Guam Visitors Bureau, heads south on Pale San Vitores Road toward Chalan San Antonio then south on Marine Corps Drive (Route 1) with the turnaround point in East Agana. The race route returns northbound on Route 1 back to Tumon and finishes at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach). All participants will receive a finisher’s t-shirt and medal.

The same date, the Road Race features a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) out-and-back course that starts in Tumon in front of the Guam Visitors Bureau, heads south on Pale San Vitores Road toward Chalan San Antonio then south on Marine Corps Drive (Route 1).  Runners will continue south bound along Route 1 and pass through the capital city of Hagatna and into Asan village. The turn around point is in the center of Asan village. Runners will return northbound on Route 1 back to Tumon and finish at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park.

Register at visitguam.com/koko.
The race was first held in 2006, was last held in 2023 and is named for the Ko’ko’ bird - the Guam Rail.

Packet pickups are scheduled for April 12 and 13. A shuttle will run from JFK High School to the beach park. The public should expect road closures on the race route.

Community event partners include Ambros Inc., Coca-Cola Beverage Co. Guam, Foremost Foods, Micronesia Mall, Three Squares Restaurant, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Guam, Pomika Sales, and Vince Jewelers. mbj