BOOTY AIMS TO SMASH RECORD

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By Gabe Lombard

Last year’s record breaking first place finishers, Team “Chasing Booty”, will be assembling yet again in an attempt to repeat as defending champions at Guam Running Club’s 44th Annual Perimeter Relay Race on April 27th.

In its efforts to shatter the Perimeter Relay on April 27th, Team Chasing Booty recruited the best runners on island. The top three finishers in the recent Ifit 5K will be running the race (L-R): Derek Mandell, Chris Magtoto and John Aquino. No, Bank of Guam Senior VP Bill Leon Guerrero (far left) is not on the relay team. (photo courtesy Guam Cancer Care)

The year old record of 4 hours, 36 minutes and 57 seconds saw them cooperatively clock in with an average pace of roughly 5:55 per mile for the 48-mile run. Prior to their 2012 performance, “The Other Guys 2” had held on to Guam’s oldest race record for over a decade with a time of 4:36:57.

The 2012 eight-man team will be seeing a majority of their team members returning, with a few significant “upgrades” to their running arsenal.

Mandell, Aquino, O’Neal on board

Guam Olympic representative Derek Mandell, John F. Kennedy high school standout John Aquino, and the man-of-steel seven-time Ironman triathlete (and most recent first place amateur finisher at XTERRA Guam) Cameron O’Neal, will be joining forces with returning team members Christopher Magtoto, Napu Castro, Rico Flores, Charlie Epperson and Gabe Lombard.

Unable to compete this year is Guam Pacific Games triathlete representative, Peter Lombard, who is recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries. Additionally, Ben Dillon and Jerrett Dunham have both since moved off-island.

Guam’s Oldest Race

Guam’s longest running race, along with the Turkey Trot, was founded in 1969 – and along with it, the formation of Guam Running Club itself. Teams of 10 individuals or less cooperatively run 20 legs during the 48-mile event that takes the teams through the hills and valleys of southern Guam.

Starting and finishing in the village of Agat, each team member carries a baton throughout each leg of the race – which consist of different lengths ranging from about one to five miles. Team members collectively wait at the next transition point until their team member finishes their leg.

The perimeter relay race has changed forms over the years, and although the format might be different, the camaraderie and fun that participants experience in running together certainly hasn’t.

2012 Record Breakers: First row, L-R: Peter Lombard, Jerrett Dunham, Rico Flores, Chris Magtoto, Gabe Lombard. Back row, L-R: Ben Dillon, Charlie Epperson, Napu Castro. (photo courtesy Napu Castro)

According to Guampedia.com, several runners organized the first race – including Mick Flynn, Bob Hartsock (former George Washington cross country coach), and Bob Wade – one of Guam Running Club’s most devoted members. Scott Hamilton, a Navy serviceman, also formed a team that consisted of other Navy runners for the first perimeter relay. Other first-time participants included Marvin Villines, Richard Taitague, Joe Lawton, Ben Luzano, Mike Hammond and Mel Borja.

A few years after the initial race, former Senator Robert Klitzkie would help to create a charter and by-laws to help organize the Guam Running Club into the establishment it is today.

Particpate in the 44th Annual Perimeter Relay Race

The race will be held on Saturday, April 27th – starting and finishing at the Agat Mayor’s office. The fee is $16 per person, with a 10 runners per team maximum. Go time is 4 a.m., with two other waves starting at 4:15 and 4:30 a.m. respectively. More information, including registration forms and packet pick up information can be found at the Guam Running Club Facebook page.

2012 Record Breakers (April 29, 2012)

Road to the Record: Chasing Booty Aims for Perimeter Relay Repeat

Follow Team Chasing Booty in this special GSPN exclusive feature as they look to break the Perimeter Relay record, again, on April 27th. The eight-man collection of local and collegiate stand-out talent will be featured leading up to race day itself to help promote maximum event participation and acknowledge Guam Running Club’s astounding efforts, year in and year out, for the running community and overall health and well-being of Guam’s residents.

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