Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) introduced extra particulars to have fun the return of the Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race and Guam Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run.
“We’re excited to reclaim these GVB signature events so our residents and visitors can partake in a family-friendly experience that supports the plight of the critically endangered ko’ko’ bird,” mentioned GVB President & CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez. “Our team has been hard at work sprucing up and beautifying Tumon as we prepare for hundreds of runners in mid-April. There’s still time to register so we encourage everyone to sign up online!”
Ko’ko’ Weekend is lower than 2 weeks away and kicks off on April 15 with the 14th Guam Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run at Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach) with completely different races for 3 age teams – a 3.3K for 10-to-12-year-olds, 1.6K for 7-to-9-year-olds and .6K for 4-to-6-year-olds. Start occasions will probably be at 6:30 am for 10-to-12-year-olds, 7:15 am for 7-to-9-year-olds and eight:00 am for 4-to-6-year-olds. The prime three female and male runners will get division award medals. All individuals will obtain a finisher t-shirt, child dimension bib, occasion bag, and finisher medal. There will probably be different publish run actions for kids in attendance.
The thirteenth Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race will probably be on April 16 additionally at Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach). The race for 2023 is a 10K out-and-back run/stroll course. The course route will begin at 6:00 am in entrance of the GVB workplace and proceed towards Chalan San Antonio, persevering with right down to Marine Corps Drive with a turnaround level in East Agana by the Mobil gasoline station and Vince Jewelers after which returning again to Ypao Beach. Top three female and male winners will obtain prizes. More giveaways are anticipated in addition to a finisher’s breakfast for all Sunday individuals.
Road Closure
The public is suggested of street closures for the morning of the Ko’ko’ Road Race on April 16 within the following areas:
Tumon: (4 am – 9 am) Closure of southbound Pale San Vitores Road lanes from the intersection of GVB/Proa to Archbishop Flores Circle.
Tamuning: (4 am – 9 am) Closure of the outermost southbound lane on Chalan San Antonio to the ITC intersection.
(4 am – 9 am) Closure of two outermost southbound lanes of Route 1 Marine Corps Drive from the ITC intersection to East Agana throughout the Mobil gasoline station. Northbound lanes are unaffected by this closure and can stay open.
The Guam Police Department and course marshals will probably be on website for security and visitors management in the course of the street closures. Lanes are anticipated to be reopened as soon as the final runners and walkers clear these areas.
Packet Pick Up
Packet Pick Up for individuals is scheduled for Friday, April 14 from 2:00 pm to eight:00 pm and Saturday, April 15 from 2:00 pm to six:00 pm on the Micronesia Mall heart court docket. All runners are required to select up their packets throughout these dates. Each packet will comprise a race bib with timing chip (Ko’ko’ Road Race Only), finisher shirt, and occasion bag. There will probably be no race day packet choose up accessible.
Ko’ko’ help grows
GVB continues to work carefully with the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources to lift consciousness of the ko’ko’ chicken or Guam rail. Additionally, GVB may have two of its latest mascots, Kiko and Kika, current throughout Ko’ko’ weekend to extend data of this flightless chicken.
Currently, the standing of Guam’s endemic, territorial chicken was elevated to critically endangered, which is an enchancment to their return to the wild.
“We thank GVB for bringing back these events because it really brings into focus the support that is needed to rehabilitate the ko’ko’ bird population.”
Biologist Anthony Tornito added: “We recently lost Buenas, our beloved ko’ko’ bird, who has been a living ambassador for our island for the last 15 years. He is the reason I was inspired to pursue a career as a biologist. It is my hope Ko’ko’ Weekend continues to inspire others to do the same.”
Interested neighborhood companions can contact the Department of Agriculture for donations or help with the ko’ko’ rehabilitation program.
GVB thanks its companions and sponsors of the Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run and Ko’ko’ Road Race: Guam Running Club, Three Squares, and Run Guam. The Bureau additionally provides particular due to the Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources, Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, Visitor Safety Officers, Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation and the Micronesia Mall.
Online registration is ongoing at visitguam.com/koko. Runners may obtain occasion updates by following the Ko’ko’ Road Race (@guamkokoroadrace) and Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run (@guamkokokids) on Facebook, in addition to GVB on Facebook (@guamvisitorsbureau), Instagram (@visitguamusa) and Twitter (@visitguam).
