KONQER: Every year is an experiment

A worker of the Guam-based DR Safety Consultant spray paints one of the obstacles for tomorrow’s KONQER Saipan at the Kilili Beach Park in Susupe. (Jon Perez)

KONQER chief experience officer Kaz Endo likes to be creative every year with the obstacle courses laid out in each of the three stops—Saipan, Guam, and Palau—of the annual race.

Endo said he likes to make it fun but challenging for the participants, giving them a sense of pride in completing the obstacle course race that will kick off its three-leg circuit tomorrow at the Kilili Beach Park.

“Each event showcases different courses and challenges due to the uniqueness of every location. Each year, I introduce a new set of signature obstacles that will be erected in every major KONQER events we do,” Endo told Saipan Tribune.

The Fly Trap, Spider Web, and Tarzan Falls are some of the new obstacles that will be introduced in this edition of KONQER, aside from the 20-plus feet wall called The Monster. Tarzan Falls is an obstacle that has swivel cables and features different sizes and lengths.

D.R. Safety Consultant, a constructor and safety equipment firm based in Barrigada in Guam, has been busy building the obstacles since early this week.

“So, the participants can expect new obstacles and new challenges. We also want everyone to have fun and at the same time to be careful,” said Endo, who added that this year’s circuit is called Guts & Glory that followed 2017’s Divide & KONQER.

The top male and female finishers of the Enduro division in KONQER Saipan will have their entry fees waived for the Guam and Palau KONQER races. Sprint and Business leagues are the other signature divisions of KONQER.

“The top finishers in the men’s and women’s Enduro will have their entry free waived for both Guam and Palau KONQER. Also, business teams who place in the Top 3 spots will be invited to compete off-island as well,” said Endo.

Early registrants had already reached 500, exceeding the 496 that participated in last year’s KONQER King of the Hill held at the Gov. Eloy S. Inos Peace Park in Puerto Rico.

Endo said they expect to have more participants coming in on race day, especially now that tourists are free to join. Having tourists participate in the race is made possible through the Marianas Visitors Authority.

The MVA, as part of its sports tourism program, has included KONQER Saipan in its promotional package as tourists will be given the chance to experience the obstacle course race provided they bring their room key card and passport at the registration area.

“Let’s see how this tourist thing shows up. It’s still hard to gauge the turnout, but we expect some would come and try the obstacle course. It’s always fun to have little experiments every year,” said Endo.

“We will also have an inflatable obstacle course for the kids so they could kind of experience KONQER. We want to let the kids play and be active.”

Participants of this Saturday’s event can pick up their race packets today at the lobby of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan from 2pm to 6pm.