606 Runners Triumph in Epic Ko’Ko’ Road Race; South Korea’s Jisub Kim, Guam’s Keira Paz Claim Top Honors in 10K
On April 14th, the 14th annual Ko’Ko’ Road Race, a marquee event co-hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Guam Running Club, took place at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach), attracting an impressive turnout of 606 runners from Guam and abroad.
10K Race: A Fierce Competition
South Korea’s Jisub Kim emerged victorious in the highly competitive 10K race with an impressive time of 34 minutes and 17 seconds. Guam’s Ryan Matienzo and Rynier Di Ramos followed closely behind, securing second and third place with times of 37:19 and 41:32, respectively.
In the women’s 10K division, Guam’s Keira Paz showcased her athleticism, dominating the race and crossing the finish line in 43 minutes and 10 seconds. Yumika Sugahara from Japan and South Korea’s Lim Hye Park claimed second and third place with times of 43:43 and 44:11, respectively.
Half Marathon: Endurance and Determination
Canada’s Jeffrey Campbell triumphed in the half marathon, completing the challenging 13.1-mile course in 1 hour 15 minutes and 40 seconds. Guam’s Derek Mandell and David Perry demonstrated their resilience, finishing in second and third place with times of 1:28:07 and 1:29:01, respectively.
Japan’s Sachi Uozumi emerged as the champion in the women’s half marathon, crossing the finish line in 1 hour 33 minutes and 7 seconds. Virginie Ternisien of Guam and Hana Lee followed closely, securing second and third place with times of 1:36:19 and 1:40:20, respectively.
A Post-Race Celebration
To mark the successful conclusion of the Ko’Ko’ Road Race weekend, GVB and GRC hosted the “Ko’Ko’ and Chill” after-party at Ypao Beach for runners and the public. The event featured an array of food trucks, live entertainment, and fun activities for children, providing a festive atmosphere to cap off the annual signature event.
Mehek