Derek Mandell broke the 16 minute mark, taking the National Guard 5K in 15:56. (photo by GANG)

PRESS RELEASE – More than 1,500 runners came out to celebrate the Guam National Guard’s 37th Anniversary and participate in its Annual Taotaomona Run/Walk/Stroll at the Guam Premiere Outlets early Saturday morning. This year’s theme is 37 years of service and sacrifice to recognize what our members and their families do for our island and our nation.

Derek Mandell smoked the field, finishing first overall in a time of 15 minutes, 56 seconds. He was also first overall in the Submaster division. Ryan Matienzo was second overall with a time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds, taking second place in the Mens Submaster Division Division. Minami Iijima was the first overall female finisher with a time of 18 minutes, 15 seconds, which was also first in the Female Open Division. She was followed by Yomika Sugahara, who finished in 20 minutes, 8 seconds, taking second place in the Female Open Division and Karen O’Donnell was the third female finisher with a time of 21 minutes, 45 seconds, also taking first in the Female Submaster Division.

In the Stroller Division, Brandon Aydlett and Clint Cruz took first and second place honors respectively in the Men Stroller Division while Deborah Hurchanik and Ykhy Dela Cruz were first and second place winners respectively in the Female Stroller Division.

In the 2K division, Mia Blas won the girls division with a time of 11 minutes, 57 seconds and Dane Santos took the boys division with a time of 12 minutes, 53 seconds.

Dri-fit shirts were available for the first 2,400 registered finishers. All proceeds from this 2K/5K will benefit the Guard’s Family Readiness Groups (FRGs). This organization, within each unit, takes care of the families on Guam when the Soldiers or Airmen are in training or deployed.

The FRGs do so much to assist the families, keep them informed and even provide training on resiliency, stress management and an opportunity to network with other families.

Other division winners included Dameon Hugh Keirt and Liliana Fennessey took the Male Youth and Female Youth Divisions. Carlos Leon Guerrero and Maekaila Salonga won the Male and Female Junior Divisions. Sydney Talledo won the Male Open Division. John Fischer and Fumika Kadmori took the Male and Female Masters Divisions. Robert Dela Cruz and Imelda Waldron took the Male and Female Senior Divisions. Rol Mangahas and Roberta Perez topped the Male and Female Grandmasters Divisions and Jun Suk Kim and Anna Pangelinan took the Male and Female Man’amko Divisions.

All photos will be posted on the Guam National Guard Facebook page later this week.

Participants in the Guam National Guard’s Annual 2K/5K Run/Walk/Stroll render honors and respect as the National Anthem and Guam Hymn are sung prior to the start on Saturday, July 7, at the GPO in Tamuning. (Photo by and provided courtesy of Major Josephine Blas, GUNG Public Affairs Officer. Released).