Course
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The Guam Ko’ko’ Road Races include three distinct race courses:
Half-Marathon
Ekiden Relay
10K Run/Walk
All races will start and end at Governor Joseph F. Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach) in the heart of beautiful Tumon Bay
Race Date and Time
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Half-Marathon Soloists: Showtime at 3:00 A.M., Go time at 4:00 A.M.
10K Run/Walk Soloists: Showtime at 4:00 A.M., Go time at 5:00 A.M.
Ekiden Relay Teams: Showtime 4:00 A.M., Go time at 5:00 A.M.
2016 Course Map
The race courses will showcase the scenic villages and ocean views of Tumon, Tamuning, the capital city of Hagåtña, and Asan. Participants can expect lively cheering groups, water stops and entertainment along the race courses.
Half Marathon
The Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race half marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.0975 kilometers. The course is an out-and-back that starts in Tumon in front of the Guam Visitors Bureau, heads north on San Vitores Road for about a quarter mile before turning right up Route 14A (or commonly known as JFK hill), reaching its highest elevation. Cresting the top of the hill, runners will then head south on Marine Corps Drive (Route 1), encountering the only real incline on the way to the turnaround point. The race continues on Route 1, passing through the villages of Tamuning, Hagatna, and Anigua. Half Marathon runners will reach the turnaround point, which is just inside the boundaries of Asan. The return leg is deceptively more difficult as it is a gradual uphill run back to the highest point on the course at JFK hill. The course ends with a short descent down Route 14A, a slight incline in front of the Pacific Star Resort & Spa and then a final stretch to the finish line.
Ekiden Relay
The Guam Ko’ko’ Ekiden race is a four-person relay with each team member running a 5k portion of the overall race. All Exchange Points will be made at the front of the start line. The course travels the same route as the half marathon, turning around after reaching the 2.5k mark in Tamuning near the United City Ticket Office (Century Plaza). On the return, Ekiden runners (A, B & C) will stay in the inside south-bound lane until reaching the start of the GVB intersection at which point runners will make a left and U-turn towards the Ekiden Exchange point lot (across the street from Proa restaurant and diagonally across GVB) Finishing Ekiden D runners will not U-turn, instead they will continue southbound on Chalan San Vitores to run through the finish chute downhill toward Ypao Beach in Tumon.
10K Run/Walk – New for 2016!
The new 10k run/walk course is perfect for those who want to participate in this cause-worthy race without the pressure to run an entire half marathon. This course follows the half marathon route through the village of Tamuning until the turnaround point located in East Agana Bay at the Trinchera Beach Park.
Weather Conditions
Proper hydration and nutrition prior to the race is extremely important because Guam gets hot!! Runners can expect high 80s with humidity in the 80 to high 90 percent range, so hydrate accordingly!
Race Turnaround and Completion
All half marathon runners must reach the turnaround point in no more than two hours (by 6:00 a.m.) and must complete the race within four hours (by 8:00 a.m.). The race course will be opened to vehicular traffic promptly at 9:00 a.m. Runners unable to meet the time requirement will not be allowed to complete the race.
Aid Stations
Water will be available at the Start and Finish lines. The first aid station is approximately 1 km from the start. Subsequent aid stations will follow at intervals of one to two kilometers. There will be a total of eight hydration stations on the course (runners will encounter the aid stations twice – on the way out and then back) where water and sports drinks will be served.
Finish Area
Every runner who completes the course will receive a finisher’s medal as they enter the post-race festivities at Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao). Race results will be available at the finish area at the results tent. Live entertainment, food and beverage concessions, as well as hospitality and vendor tents will be available at the finish area.