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(August 13, 2021 – Guam) - Guam Sports Events, Inc. announced today that the United Airlines Guam Marathon (UGM) has been canceled for 2021 and 2022.
In a letter to participants, GSE Managing Director Ben Ferguson thanked local and international runners for their participation and continued support throughout the pandemic.
Ferguson also noted, “As with all tourism-related businesses and events, the global pandemic has affected UGM tremendously. We are all facing economic uncertainty as tourism begins to rebuild. As a result, the GSE Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2021 and 2022 events. Additionally, we will be suspending the event indefinitely until we can restart the event safely and successfully.”
UGM, Guam’s largest and premier international sports event for the past eight years, welcomed half of its 2019 participants from 19 different countries. More than 4,000 participants gathered in Tumon for race weekend. UGM went virtual in 2020 to offer participants a safe week-long virtual race event complete with finisher’s medal, event t-shirt, beach mat, event towel, and event bag. Ferguson added, “Throughout the eight years, we have brought together a wonderful community of runners. UGM has also been a proven marketing tool for travel to Guam and has contributed millions of dollars each year to the local economy. We thank our title sponsor United Airlines, Gold Sponsors Guam Visitors Bureau and Pacific Islands Club, and all of the sponsors and volunteers for their valuable support in helping to make that possible for Guam.”
