KENT GRABS BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE WINS

By Karisma Tupaz

Hundreds of Guam’s runners woke up bright and early on Monday morning, ready to race through the heart of Hågatña for the annual Liberation Day One Mile and 5K events. With many runners doing both. The excitement was high as families, friends, and spectators gathered along the route to cheer them on.

Hosted by the Guam Running Club (GRC), the Liberation Day One Mile is the island’s only official one-mile race and has been a Guam tradition for over 40 years. This year’s event drew runners of all ages and levels, many of whom took on both the 5K at 6 am and the One Mile at 7:21 am —honoring the day Guam was liberated in 1944.

Hugh Kent Repeats Double Victory

JFK Alumni and one of Guam’s representatives in the Pacific Mini Games, Hugh Kent showed once again why he’s one of the island’s best. Fresh from competing in Palau where he went on to take gold, he took home first place in both the 5K (16:36) and One Mile (4:51), repeating his double win from the year before.

“My goal was just to win,” said Kent. “I came back recently from the Pacific Mini Games and a trip to Japan, so I was hoping I was still in shape.” Kent ran neck and neck with Derek Mandell for much of the mile. Having Mandell right alongside him pushed Kent to pick up the pace in the final stretch of the race and secure the win.

With the community cheering him on, it motivated him further. “The people cheering really gave me a boost. Running down Marine Drive with that kind of support is amazing.”

Sugahara Takes the Win in Women’s One-Miler

On the women’s side, Ayuri Sugahara took the win in the One Mile with a time of 6:07, just a few seconds off her goal of breaking six minutes. She had already placed second in the 5K earlier that morning with a time of 20:12.

“I just wanted to finish fast and not slow down,” she said. “I’m not usually great at short distances, so it felt really good to win the mile.”

It’s safe to say the 2025 Liberation Day races were a fun and successful event for runners and fans alike.

SEE Liberation 5k and One Mile Results