Public invited to celebrate GUNG 34th anniversary

The Guam National Guard (GUNG) will celebrate its 34th anniversary with a variety of events and competitions this weekend, beginning with its Annual Taotaomona 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 11.

Aside from the typical 5K Run/Walk, the Guard will also be running a couple of Guard-only races between the various Air and Army Guard units prior to the start of the actual 5K. One such race is a three-person Body Armor/Kevlar Relay Race, while the other is a 5-person team run beginning at 5:15am.

The 5K run/walk will begin and end at the Guard’s newest facility in the readiness center in Barrigada. Known as the Combined Support Maintenance Shop, or CSMS, Building 800, is located directly across the John Gerber GMF Post Office. Public parking is available inside the readiness center or across the street at Tiyan. There will be a temporary crosswalk set up for foot traffic from Tiyan for the safety of all participants. Show time for the 5K is 5am with 6am go time.

Shirts are available to the first 2,000 registered finishers. Refreshments will be available and awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in eight categories. Interested runners can register at the Guam Guard facilities in Barrigada or in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam AutoSpot, Hornet Sporting Goods or the Guam Premiere Outlets in Tamuning or on race day at the Guard’s Readiness Center. All proceeds benefit the Guard’s Family Readiness Groups.

Following the 5K run, beginning at 10am at the CSMS, the TAG Cup continues with Combatives, an M-4 Disassembly & Reassembly competition, LMTV pull, HMMWV push, and an Obstacle Course, featuring the best of the Army Guard versus the best of the Air Guard, will take place.

Additionally, the public is also invited to the Guard’s static displays of their equipment, which will include the newly acquired UH-72A Lakota Medevac Helicopters. There will be jumpers for the kids and the Guard’s Family Readiness Groups will be selling refreshments.

These events are part of the Guam National Guard’s 34th Anniversary Celebration of its Charter and the 2015 TAG Cup, which began in January of this year, and provide an opportunity for members of the Guam Guard and their families to participate in sports events that aim to foster camaraderie and promote positive competition among units, as well as promote continuing physical fitness that is so important to the readiness of the Guard force.

The public is requested to please drive cautiously as the inner lane of Army Drive, from the Route 8 and Route 10 intersection, up to the John Gerber GMF Post Office, will be closed from 4am until about 9am on Saturday, July 11, to ensure the safety of all runners/walkers. There will be a temporary crosswalk set up for foot traffic along this section during this entire period.

For more information on the 2015 TAG Cup, please contact 1st Lt. Janette Sudo at 735-0458 or Master Sgt. Dexter Diaz at 366-7124 or Maj. Josephine Blas, GUNG Public Affairs Officer, at 735-0409.