Guam Ko'ko' weekend soars with record half marathon turnout

The Guam Visitors Bureau is proud to announce the successful completion of the 2025 Ko’ko’ Weekend race events held this past weekend.
The weekend kicked off with the Ko’ko Kids Fun Run, with nearly 300 local and international kids participating.
Following the Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run on Saturday, the Japanese Spring Festival Harumatsui was held by the Japan Club of Guam in partnership with GVB for the Ko’ko’ Weekend.
Hundreds of island residents and visitors attended the festivities celebrating friendship, food, and cultural activities.
The Ko’ko’ Road Race on Sunday began with a half marathon that yielded 519 runners, a record turnout in the history of Guam half marathons according to the Guam Running Club.
Three hundred thirty one participants were international runners, including 119 from Korea, 50 from Japan, 15 from the Philippines, and five from Taiwan.
“It was really an honor and a blessing to welcome such a diverse group of athletes, many of whom traveled to Guam to participate in this event. Our primary goal is to bring awareness to the plight of our ko’ko’ and encourage sports tourism,” stated GVB President & CEO Régine Biscoe Lee, “Seeing countries come together to compete, experience the Håfa Adai spirit and forge friendships is truly what the Ko’ko’ Weekend is all about.”
International celebrities, journalists, running groups and social media influencers from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines participated in the weekend’s activities as well.
World class athletes, coaches, and influencers such as top finisher Sachi Uozumi and the well-known actor and musician Shinji Takeda participated as Japan’s ambassadors for the Ko’ko’ Road Race.
Influencers from Go Pro, Women Sense Magazine, Money Today and sports influencers joined popular actress and model Kang So Yeon in the delegation from South Korea. Six elite runners from the SUB3 Running Club from Taiwan participated as well as popular musician Yael Yuzon from the Philippines.
The next Ko’ko’ Weekend is slated for April 11 & 12, 2026. Follow Guam Ko'ko' Road Race or VisitGuam on social media for more race information and photos.
Results:
Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run
Top Female 10-12-year-olds Division (3.3k):
- Lippert, Maggie USA 09:52
- Kobayashi, Leila Guam 10:27
- Abat, Elleiot Guam 10:28
Top Male 10-12-year-olds Division (3.3k):
- Reyes, Rio Guam 08:37
- Garcia, Sean Ivler Guam 08:52
- Leon Guerrero, Dustin Guam 09:25
Top Female 7-9-year-olds Division (1.6k):
- Labrunda, Zayla USA 05:18
- Mutuc, Phoebe Philippines 05:31
- Okumura, Mia USA 05:59
Top Male 7-9-year-olds Division (1.6k):
- Reyes, Lenox Guam 04:40
- Adzhigirey, Princeton USA 04:51
- Weniger, Marvin USA 04:59
Top Female 4-6-year-olds Division (0.6k):
- Adzhigirey, Selah USA 02:54
- Igehara, Ren Japan 03:15
- Saunders, Zora USA 03:15
Top Male 4-6-year-olds Division (0.6k):
- Takagi, Noah Japan 02:32
- Chen, Carren China 02:39
- Luces, John Tristen USA 02:41
Half Marathon
Top Female Overall:
- Uozumi, Sachi Japan 1:30:42
- Tsuji, Mayuko Japan 1:31:14
- Lin, Yu Xin Taiwan 1:33:07
Top Male Overall:
- Nogi, Rhuhei Japan 1:17:42
- Matienzo, Ryan Guam 1:22:07
- Mandell, Derek Guam 1:24:01
Ekiden Relay
Top Female Team: Lady ONRA Guam 2:41:16
- Marinas, Maria
- Iriarte, Monica
- Retuyan, Erin
- San Agustin, Christine
Top Male Team: Binadu Forever Guam 1:47:56
- Melecio, Christian
- Borgonia, Thomas
- Kaminanga, RK
- Randall, Louis
Top Co-ed Team: GVB Korea Korea 1:57:18
- Kwak, Dong Su
- Ham, Ji Won
- Park, Soljin
- Soun, Myung Hie
Top High School Team: Miles Sportswear (Simon Sanchez HS) Guam 1:41:37
- Alcairo, Shynez
- Di Ramos, Rynier
- Dixon, Elijah
- Pamplona, Ivan