United Airlines Guam Marathon names event beneficiaries

TUMON, Guam—Guam Sports Events Inc. announced the beneficiaries of this year’s United Airlines Guam Marathon.

The Guam Fire Department (GFD) and the Guam Police Department (GPD) will join the Islandwide Beautification Task Force (IBTF), Tourism Education Council (TEC) and USO Guam as event beneficiaries.

“We are pleased to increase the number of event beneficiaries of the fifth annual United Airlines Guam Marathon,” said Ben Ferguson, managing director of GSE. “These organizations do a tremendous job of supporting our community through beautifying our island, educating, ensuring public safety and taking care of our service men, women and families. They play a significant role in the quality of life that we all enjoy on Guam. We are proud to contribute to these great organizations on behalf of the thousands of participants in the United Airlines Guam Marathon.”

In a new twist to this year’s event, three dollars from every registration will go toward these beneficiaries. The running event is set for Sunday, April 9, 2017.

“This year we are expecting to be able to contribute even more to the event beneficiaries since we are tying in a direct contribution for each participant’s registration,” Ferguson said. “Through their participation, community members are directly involved in contributing to these important organizations.”

All event beneficiaries have also provided important support for the United Airlines Guam Marathon during the first four years of the event. GFD and GPD have ensured the safety of runners and have been on hand for emergency assistance if needed. IBTF has provided a fiesta-themed aid station, which will be relocated to the post-race BBQ Beach Party this year. TEC has provided key volunteer support, including a cheering squad, on race day. USO Guam has helped the local and military communities come together in events like UGM. USO Guam has also provided volunteers to support water stops along race courses.

The United Airlines Guam Marathon, in its fifth year, is organized by Guam Sports Events Inc., a nonprofit organization that hosts annual running and cycling events to promote Guam’s Hafa Adai spirit to grow sports tourism on Guam. The United Airlines Guam Marathon, Guam’s first IAAF approved marathon race, will take place on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Considered Guam’s premier running event, the UGM includes 5K, 10K, half marathon (13.1 miles) and marathon (26.2 miles) race distances. All courses have been officially certified by the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) and AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). This designation means that marathon runners may use this as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Complete event details and registration can be found on the official event website at unitedguammarathon.com. The UGM is also sponsored by the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Pacific Islands Club.

For more information, contact Ben Ferguson, managing director, Guam Sports Events, Inc. (PR)