by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Expected to be bigger and better than last year, the Guam International Marathon is set to bring out thousands of runners both locally and from off-island. During a press conference at the Pacific Islands Club today, event organizers and sponsors announced several new enhancements to the race including a marathon expo, a pre-race party with music and live entertainment and an evening fireworks display.

Registration is already ahead of last year's count at this time with over 900 off-island runners from Japan and Korea having already registered and over 500 local runners registered online only. Guam Visitors Bureau general manager Karl Pangelinan.

"This is our second year committed to this event sports tourism is something very, very close to our heart, to the administration's heart its something that promotes not just additional visitors and all the benefits that come with that there's so much to sports tourism that doesn't just benefit the industry but benefits the island as whole," he said.

The inaugural race last year drew over 2,000 runners, half of which were from off-island. The event organizations are hoping for at least 3,000 runners this year. The second annual GIM is set for Sunday April 13 featuring a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon race distances.