
By Patrick Lujan
The Guam Visitors Bureau’s signature running event – the Guam Ko’ko Road Race – will come back to life for the first time since 2017 next weekend – April 15-16 at the Ypao Beach Park.
GVB President Carl Gutierrez said during Wednesday’s press conference held at Three Squares Restaurant that “It was incumbent upon us to bring this back as a signature event.”
Ko’ko’ Weekend will kick off on Saturday with the 14th Annual Guam Ko’ko’ Kids Fun Run that starts and ends within the Ypao Beach Park and takes the kids along the beach itself. Three divisions are set starting at 6:30 am.
The 10k race is slated for Sunday morning at 6 am starting in front of the GVB building. The route will go up toward the old GMH circle and head straight down to Marine Corps. Drive, south to the Mobil gas station in East Agana and head back the same way.
According to race coordinator Manny Hechanova from the Guam Running Club, almost 800 runners combined have already signed up on-line with anticipation of that number doubling, if not more, come race days.
KO’KO’ BIRD
A live Ko’ko bird was present at the press conference, courtesy of the Department of Agriculture. Anthony Tornito from DoAg said that Suete’ – the bird at the conference – is one of 78 ko’ko’ birds at the Department with initiatives to keep growing the population.
With that, GVB introduced its newest mascots: Kiko and Kika the Ko’ko’ Birds.
“We’re redefining Guam’s branding,” GVB Vice President Gerry Perez said. “The ko’ko’ bird is part of our natural heritage. We are using the bird as an educational tool, making it the signature name for the road race.”
SPORTS TOURISM
As GVB ventures back into its signature running event, GVB President Gutierrez said that sports tourism is “at the top of our list at GVB.”
Gutierrez mentioned that in the three years he’s been at the helm of GVB, the bureau has helped out individual athletes representing Guam as well as events such as jiu-jitsu and an upcoming karate event and is eyeing more to attract through sports tourism.



GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Basketball
FAMILIAR FOES TO MEET FOR HOOPS CROWN

Basketball
ISLANDERS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs